THE MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY 2025: GIRLS SUMMIT ON ENDING PERIOD POVERTY

My first time menstruating was tough. I was in class, and the teacher called on me to answer a question. I stood up to answer, and my dress was stained with blood. I was shocked,” Naima, Rightsholder. Naima’s experience is not unique—thousands of girls in Kakuma and Kalobeyei face similar humiliating and painful moments every month. This is what is known as period poverty: the lack of access to menstrual products, education, hygiene facilities, and support.

To every girl and woman, experiencing menstruation for the first time comes with a lot of feelings. Some are fortunate to have a clue before they start menstruating, although it still comes as a shock, while others are clueless. Like Naima, who had no idea, and her deskmate had to walk her through the journey.

Despite menstruation being a biological thing, girls and women face a lot of challenges, such as stigma, financial constraints, and limited access to sanitation facilities, especially in Kakuma and Kalobeyei. The crisis of period poverty has led to school dropouts, girls missing school during their period, and infections from using unhealthy alternatives to sanitary pads. 

To address these challenges, Resilience Action International brought stakeholders together at the Girls’ Summit 2025, a space where stories like Naima’s could lead to real, sustainable action.

The Girls’Summit

The Girls’ Summit 2025 shed light on this critical issue and called to action all partner organizations, community leaders, and the community as a whole to find a sustainable solution for the girls and women in Kakuma and Kalobeyei.

The summit commenced on the 27th of May and concluded on the 28th of May, commemorating Menstrual Hygiene Day of 2025. The theme “Ending period poverty with safe menstrual products” spoke of the urgent crises ensuing, not only in Kakuma and Kalobeyei, but in Kenya.

According to a 2024 USAID report, 65% of the 27 million girls and women in Kenya cannot afford the basic requirements to manage their periods. This, in turn, has led to school dropouts and increased health risks as they opt to use other unhealthy alternatives when menstruating.

The two-day summit encompassed three panel discussions on advocacy and championships, girls and women empowerment, and collaborative solutions to end period poverty. 

In addition, the cultural dances from the Acholi tribe and modern dances made the mood vibrant and entertaining. The breakout sessions focused on three topics: 

1. Community-led solutions to end period poverty, led by Sudi Omar, the founder of Girl Power Action Initiative.

2. Role of media in menstrual health advocacy, led by George Olwanda, the station manager, REF FM.

3. Sustainable menstrual products, led by Adrian Nakoi from the International Rescue Committee.

On the 28th, the program focused on solutions and commitments. The last panel discussion on ‘Collaborative solutions for ending period poverty’ was led by Consolee Muvunyi. Beyond the discussion and conversations, the summit sparked real commitments from those present:

“As the Founder and CEO at Saidia Community Initiative, we commit to educate 5000 young girls on menstruation and distribute 2000 sanitary pads!” boldly states Conzana Cornelius, founder/CEO of Saidia Community Initiative.

As we wound up the Summit, we called on the organizations, partners, and individuals to commit to #endperiodpoverty. And they did!

Now, the ball is on your court; what do you commit to?

What can you do to end period poverty?

✅ Donate to support local girls' access to reusable pads.

✅ Volunteer with grassroots organizations tackling menstrual health.

✅ Talk openly about menstruation to break the stigma.

✅ Share this article and use the hashtag #EndPeriodPoverty.

Let’s make menstruation a right, not a burden!