Nominated Senator Gloria Orobwa wants the Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action to take charge of the Sh940 million budgetary allocation for sanitary pads.
Addressing the media at Parliament Buildings, Orobwa said the Ministry of Education is not well placed to distribute free sanitary pads to girls who can't afford them.
“While I laud the government for allocating Sh940 million for the provision of sanitary pads to school going girls, I feel that not all the money will be used to purchase the items if the Ministry of Education handles the matter,” she said.
Orobwa has been advocating for free sanitary pad distribution to girls who can't afford the basic items every menstrual cycle through a motion in the Senate.
She argued that the money has been put under general provisions in the Ministry of Education and hence the likelihood of it being misused.
“It is a gender issue and that is why we want the Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action to handle it,” Orobwa said.
She called on Women Reps to provide oversight in the distribution of the items.
In her Motion, Orwoba wants the Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action to facilitate the provision of feminine hygiene products in all public schools.
She also wants the Ministry to ensure all schools that do not have bathrooms that facilitate privacy, cleanliness, or proper disposal of hygiene products be properly equipped.
Orwoba wants the Ministry to ensure that sanitary products will be obtained timely, consistently and in a way that respects the dignity of the concerned persons.
On May 27, Orwoba kicked off Menstrual Hygiene Day celebrations by launching “Glo’s Pad Bank.”
Menstrual Hygiene Day is an annual awareness day on May 28 to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management at a global level.
It was initiated by the German-based NGO WASH United in 2013 and observed for the first time in 2014.
The senator caused drama in the House in February for wearing what appeared to be a stained attire. She was kicked out of the Senate Plenary session.
She had attended the session in a white blazer, green top, and a matching white trousers with a sporting red stain.