Restoring Dignity Through Pads Issuance

At Undugu Empowerment Programs (UEP), our fladship project Dabbed SISTA Plus…we believe that no girl should ever have to choose between her education and her dignity. Yet, in rural Kenya, many adolescent girls face the harsh reality of period poverty. Without access to safe and affordable sanitary products, girls often miss school, struggle with low self-esteem, and in some cases drop out entirely. Breaking the Silence Around Period Poverty Menstruation remains a source of stigma and silence in many rural communities. This silence leaves girls vulnerable to misinformation, shame, and lack of support during a critical stage of their lives. Our mission is to change this narrative—by ensuring access to reusable sanitary pads and by equipping girls with knowledge about their bodies, health, and dignity. The Pads Issuance Event This week, at Undugu Empowerment Programs hosted a Pads Issuance Event at Our Girl Pad Centre in Busia County. The event brought together over 200 adolescent girls from nearby schools and villages. Each girl received a set of reusable and eco-friendly sanitary pads produced locally under our Sista Plus Sanitary Solution. These pads are designed to be safe, durable, and affordable, providing long-term solutions to period poverty while reducing environmental waste from disposable alternatives. The event also included a menstrual hygiene mentorship session, where facilitators created a safe space for girls to ask questions, learn about their bodies, and build confidence in managing menstruation. Parents, teachers, and community leaders joined the discussions, reinforcing the message that menstrual health is a community responsibility, not just a “girl’s issue.” Voices of Change One of the girls, Rose Achieng, aged 14, shared her experience: “Before today, I often missed school whenever my periods came because I did not have pads. Now I feel confident that I can attend school every day. This makes me believe I can pursue my dream of becoming a teacher.” Her words echo the struggles of many girls—and the hope that comes with support. Beyond Pads: Our Broader Mission This event is part of our wider community programs at Undugu Empowerment Programs, which include: • Reusable pads production – creating eco-friendly pads to fight period poverty. • Menstrual hygiene mentorship – equipping girls with knowledge, confidence, and dignity. • Skills training for teen mothers – giving young mothers tools to rebuild their futures. • Higher education scholarships – supporting bright students from low-income families. • Sustainable agriculture projects – helping families achieve food security and self-reliance. Together, these initiatives aim to uplift women, youth, and girls in rural communities. Looking Forward The Pads Issuance Event in Busia County is only the beginning. Our dream is to expand to more schools and communities so that every girl in rural Kenya has access to safe menstrual products and the confidence to stay in school. Join Us in Ending Period Poverty We invite partners, well-wishers, and friends to join us in this mission. Together, we can ensure that girls grow up with dignity, education, and hope for a brighter future. 📧 unduguempowerment@gmail.com | ☎️ +254 796609797| 🌍 Undugu Empowerment Programs – Kenya