Citizen TV in Nairobi did a feature on girls in Tana River District, who were missing school all because they did not have sanitary pads. I could not get over the story for weeks, and I spoke to my friends and family about it every time I got the chance. I knew I had to do something.
Not knowing where to start, I prayed about it and asked God for direction. It was then that Path to Womanhood was born, started with a Facebook group, then a blog and now a website. We are determined to do something irrespective of how small. You can too…
Initially, Path to Womanhood called for sanitary towels and panty donations. It then grew into a vehicle used to discuss issues affecting girls who come from low-income families without access to education, sanitary towels, reproductive health information or simple life advice.
We want to see girls from poor backgrounds grow into women who can influence others and take control of their own lives, economically empowered. I envision these girls becoming high profile leaders, presidents, decision makers, strategic investors and great inventors.
Based upon further research, I came across the following facts:
- About 1 in 10 school-age girls do not attend school during their menstruation.
- A girl who is absent from school for 4 days every month loses 13 learning days, which is equivalent to 2 weeks of learning in every school term.
- In a school year (of 9 months) a girl loses 39 learning days, which is equivalent to 6 weeks of learning time. A girl in primary school between grades 6 and 8 (3 years) loses approximately 18 weeks out of 108 school weeks. A girl in high school (4 years) loses 156 learning days, which is equivalent to almost 24 weeks out of 144 weeks of school.
- The Social Pillar in the Vision 2030 singles out education and training as the vehicle that will drive Kenya into becoming a middle-income economy.
You may want to help but you have no idea how.
You may not have the interest in being involved on a day-to-day basis and perhaps you may even think you don’t have the money to help.
Every little thing you do matters. Girls matter!
If you feel as strongly as I do about this, join us.
Sincerely
Naomi Kinyanjui
Founder, Path to Womanhood
Conceptualised July 2011, officially registered with NGO Coordination Board of Kenya in May 2012
Hi gal,
Once again congrats on the good work that your doing and keep up.I have the passion for the girl child and so i will do everything to see them excel and become better people and imitable people of the society.I plan to donate pads to one gal for the year and 3 panties,if possible can i get Maureen my namesake one of the girls from Binti United Football club.Please keep in touch 0729445379.
Regards,
Maureen
Thank you and God bless you in ABUNDANCE! your support means a lot to the girls and i cannot wait for you to meet them neither can i wait for the day that we shall be shouting the team on at a soccer match 🙂 Incase you know anyone else willing to take on the same please do let them know.
Once again barikiwa, and many thanks! I will definitely keep in touch.
Naomi
Hello, I stumbled across this website after reading an article about women not having any supplies for their new babies and even being kept at Pumwani Maternity Hospital until they can pay their hospital bills. Hospital bills that are less than $100 in some cases. I have always felt compelled to help but never knew how, and never thought that my meager contributions could really be of any assistance. I would like to help women pay their hospital bills and would be interested in donating clothes and supplies for women as well…maybe sponsor one mother a month? If you can help me with this or tell me who I can contact that can help I would be very grateful.
Thanks Courtney, have sent you an email with more detail. so exciting to here from you and glad that you stumlbed upon our website. Looking forward to hearing more from you 🙂
I watched the spcial feature o Citizen ‘PERIODS OF SHAME’ and his really broke my heart. I run a organizaion for ladies called The Divas Galore and would love to combine efforts with you to make sure our girls dont miss school because of their periods.
Will really appreciate if you contact me.
Regards,
Imani
Imani, thanks for dropping a line, i shall drop you an email shortly. The feature was quite unbelievable and i truly this should not be happening in 2013.
I also watched it on Citizen, truly is a shame let me know how I can actively be part of help for this young ladies.
Glad you’ve formed an NGO, I’m currently on break from campus and available to help.
I am looking to support your noble cause from my organizations CSR budget. Kindly email me a brief on your NGO and how our CSR budget can help girls especially those in marginalized regions. Looking forward to your response.
Njeri, thanks for stopping by, i will drop you an email shortly.
I was introduced to making reusable sanitary pads by an American lady.
Had been making them though not well received by our women. Through this struggle l came across a simple machine that can make 1000pieces a day. The machine is costing KHs. 600,000 to import to Kenya.But its worthy while. Iam looking for support to bring this machine and it will be a long term problem solved. How can we partner over this?
Edith, sounds interesting. Would be glad to hear a bit more about this machine? contactus@pathtowomanhood.org