Menstrual Health
Our Menstrual Health Programme has two elements that work towards addressing menstrual health challenges for girls and women – Girls for Girls in schools and Jiamini in the community.
Girls for Girls – sexual and reproductive health education is non-existent in schools and communities across Kericho County and there are many myths and taboos surrounding menstruation. The Girls for Girls programme operates through the schools and includes teacher training, an education programme, peer learning, access to sanitary products, income generating initiatives and better toilet, washrooms and water provision facilities in the schools.
The aim of the programme is to make sure that girls are enabled to stay in school so that there is a greater chance they will finish school and have more options available to them for a strong, independent future.
Jiamini – women in the community face similar challenges to the girls in school. ‘Jiamini’ in Swahili means ‘Believe in yourself’ and this is the name given to our community menstrual health programme.
Both programmes provide education around sexual health and reproduction, income generating skills, access to affordable, reusable sanitary kits, school infrastructure including latrines, washrooms and access to water, raising awareness of menstrual health among the whole community, eradication of stigmatising girls and women due to menstruation.
‘Periods don’t stop for pandemics’
COVID-19 has a significant impact on the lives of girls and women across Kericho county. Sexual and reproductive health services have been impacted; the provision of menstrual health commodities is impacted by strains on supply chains and reduced household income to purchase products. In response to this urgent need for support, Brighter Communities Worldwide adapted delivery of these programmes and designed a Menstrual Health Ambassador programme to meet the rising need for menstrual health support across the community.
Menstrual Health Ambassadors – volunteers from the community, both men and women, train as Menstrual Health Ambassadors to strengthen menstrual health across the county. They create awareness about menstrual health, contribute to the elimination of violence against women, encourage confidence in girls and women, help break myths and taboos surround menstrual health in their community, help eradicate the stigmatisation of girls and women and work with all partners involved to tackle the challenges around menstrual health.
Involving all sections of the community in menstrual health leads to better understanding of the challenges that are involved and leads to changes in attitudes and more support for girls and women.
Click here to download the most recent report on our Menstrual Health Programme
