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Nairobi County Woman Representative, Hon. Esther Passaris, on Tuesday launched a critical initiative to combat period poverty by flagging off the distribution of sanitary towels to schools in Mathare Constituency. This effort is part of a broader campaign to address menstrual hygiene challenges and ensure that young girls can focus on their education without the distraction or stigma associated with menstruation.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Passaris highlighted the importance of access to menstrual hygiene products for the health, dignity, and confidence of young girls. “In order to end period poverty and stigma, promote hygiene, and give young girls a chance to confidently focus on their education, we have begun distributing sanitary towels to schools in Mathare,” she stated. “Access to these products is crucial for maintaining young girls’ self-esteem and ensuring they can fully participate in school activities.”
The distribution initiative is expected to make a significant impact in Mathare, a constituency where many households are grappling with economic challenges. The provision of sanitary towels will help to remove a major barrier to education for girls, who often miss school due to lack of access to menstrual products.
During her remarks, Hon. Passaris also took the opportunity to address a broader issue affecting the country: tax compliance. She urged all Kenyans to fulfill their civic duty by paying taxes, emphasizing the importance of tax revenue in sustaining government operations and development projects.
“For me, it is crucial to acknowledge the gains we have made as a government, but we must also recognize that much work remains. This work requires that we genuinely pay our taxes. If we evade taxes, we are essentially undermining our own government, and we have no other country to go to,” Hon. Passaris said. She also addressed concerns about corruption, asserting, “We should not use corruption as an excuse to not pay our taxes. Our taxes need to be paid because they hold the country together. I believe that in a short time, we will see a significant shift in how we handle corruption.”
The event was met with gratitude from the recipients of the sanitary towels, including students and school administrators. They expressed their appreciation for Hon. Passaris’ timely intervention, especially as schools have recently reopened amidst tough economic conditions. Many noted that the distribution of sanitary towels would alleviate a significant burden on households and help girls stay in school.
This initiative by Hon. Passaris underscores her commitment to addressing both the immediate needs of her constituents and the broader issues affecting the nation. Her call for tax compliance, coupled with efforts to combat corruption, reflects her vision for a stronger and more equitable Kenya.
