KEEPING KENYAN GIRLS IN SCHOOL

Kenya — Procter & Gamble the world’s largest consumer goods company and the makers of Always sanitary pads is committed to contributing to Girls Education in Kenya. Through the Always Keeping Girls in School program, Procter & Gamble intends to provide 10,000 girls with on free sanitary pads and puberty education to empower girls to stay in school. The program which will kick off in October 2013 will be executed by Health Education Africa Resource Team (HEART) in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

HEART CEO Vickie Winkler (left) P&G's Irene Mwathi (centre) and Loresho Primary's Brenda Langa

Speaking during the 2013 launch,  Mr Aziz Jindani P&G’s Country Manager said that the company was proud to have been the pioneers of the sanitary pads programs which was made possible by meaningful partnerships.

“We are happy to reintroduce this program so that we can keep more of our Kenyan girls in school. We remain committed to partnering with partners such as the Ministry of Education; Girl Child Network, HEART and UNESCO to reach more girls in our society,” said Mr Jindani.

Mr Jindani added that the program and its partners had in the past provided needy school girls with over 6 million free Always sanitary pads and puberty education. Research conducted by FAWE has shown that a girl who is absent from school due to menses for four to five days loses a total of almost 3 months of school every year.

HEART Executive Director Vickie Winkler said that the organization will work with P&G to identify new areas of needs on the ground while working with the teachers and the local HEART team to provide the health education to the schools.

“We hope that together with P&G we will abolish the stigma and embarrassment that a young girl goes through. Our interaction with the girls has shown that those who lack sanitary pads resort to using unhygienic methods which in the end lead to absenteeism.”

This year, the Always sanitary pad is marking its 21st year since its introduction into Kenya. The brand has constantly lead in innovation and ensured that the Kenyan consumer gets the best in technology.