Women from different generations gathered in Kisumu to mark World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026, holding discussions on menstrual health challenges, period poverty, stigma, and the importance of creating supportive environments for women and girls.
The event also highlighted the role men and boys can play in supporting menstrual health and helping end the silence and shame surrounding menstruation.
Observed globally every year on May 28, Menstrual Hygiene Day seeks to promote menstrual health awareness, improve access to safe and affordable menstrual products, and advocate for the dignity and equality of women and girls.
This year’s global theme, “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld,” focuses on advancing menstrual health, breaking stigma, and ensuring every girl can manage her periods safely and confidently without discrimination or shame.
Why Menstrual Health Matters
Menstrual health remains a major public health, education, and human rights issue across many parts of Kenya and Africa.
Lack of access to affordable sanitary products, clean sanitation facilities, and menstrual health education continues to affect millions of girls and women, especially those in vulnerable and low-income communities.
Experts note that period poverty contributes to:
School absenteeism among girls
Reduced economic opportunities
Social stigma and discrimination
Poor menstrual hygiene management
Emotional stress and low self-esteem
Advocates at the Kisumu event stressed that menstrual health conversations should involve entire communities, including men and boys, to break harmful stereotypes and normalise discussions around periods.
Calls for More Support and Awareness
Participants called for stronger investment in:
Affordable sanitary products
Menstrual health education
Gender-responsive sanitation facilities
Youth-friendly reproductive health services
Community awareness campaigns
Health advocates also emphasised the need for governments, schools, families, and community leaders to create safe and supportive spaces where girls can openly discuss menstrual health without fear or shame.
Menstrual Hygiene Efforts in Kenya
In Kenya, the Ministry of Health continues to support Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) policies aimed at improving access to menstrual health resources, especially in rural and underserved communities.
Community organisations and advocacy groups across regions such as Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa have also been leading grassroots initiatives that include:
Distribution of sanitary pads and hygiene kits
School mentorship programs
Reproductive health education
Awareness campaigns on period stigma
Regional organisations, including the African Union and UNICEF, continue to advocate for period-friendly schools and improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities across Africa.
Breaking the Stigma Around Menstruation
Advocates at the event encouraged communities to normalise conversations around menstruation and recognise menstrual health as a dignity and human rights issue.
They emphasised that:
Periods are natural and should not be a source of shame
Girls deserve access to safe menstrual products
Menstrual health education is essential
Communities must support girls and women openly
Men were also encouraged to actively support conversations about menstrual health and help create more inclusive, supportive communities.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 served as a reminder that menstrual health is directly connected to dignity, education, equality, and opportunity.
Stakeholders continue to call for collective action to end period poverty, improve menstrual hygiene access, and build a future where every girl can manage her menstruation safely, confidently, and without stigma.
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