Gathoni Wamuchomba Champions Menstrual Dignity, Calls for National Action on Period Poverty
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By John Kariuki
As the world observes Menstrual Hygiene Day, one voice stands out in the national call for menstrual dignity in Kenya — Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba, Member of Parliament for Githunguri. Her bold advocacy continues to shine a light on period poverty, a persistent issue that forces many girls to miss school and endure indignity every month.
Despite the Government allocating KES 550 million annually through the Ministry of Education for the provision of sanitary towels, inconsistent distribution has left many public schoolgirls without access. Hon. Wamuchomba views this not just as a policy failure, but as a breach of basic rights and a barrier to education for countless young women.
Wamuchomba is particularly critical of Kenya’s dependence on imported raw materials for sanitary towel manufacturing. The reliance inflates costs and contributes to environmental degradation, as most products are non-biodegradable — a stark contradiction to Kenya’s goals of sustainability and self-reliance.
But Wamuchomba isn’t stopping at criticism. She is spearheading community-based solutions that uplift and empower. In response to her rallying cry, a new grassroots initiative has been launched — installing sanitary towel dispensers in villages, operated by young women as micro-enterprises. This model tackles both accessibility and economic empowerment.
The initiative also supports the production of biodegradable sanitary products using locally sourced natural fibers, promoting not just menstrual health but also environmental stewardship.
“Menstrual health is not just about hygiene — it’s about justice, equality, and empowerment,” Wamuchomba asserts.
Looking ahead, she has vowed to scale the project nationally, pledging that under her future national leadership, no girl will miss school or suffer in silence because of her period.
On this Menstrual Hygiene Day, Hon. Wamuchomba’s call is clear: it’s time for collective action. Her leadership stands as a testament to the power of vision, voice, and grassroots mobilization in changing lives — one sanitary pad at a time.
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