Breaking Barriers: YOUNIB Empowers Girls in Njiru Through Menstrual Hygiene Support

In the informal settlements of Njiru Sub-County, Nairobi, poverty and limited access to essential services create significant challenges for girls in schools. Among these challenges, managing menstrual hygiene with dignity is a daily struggle that impacts not only their education but also their mental and psychosocial well-being. In partnership with Missio Aachen, the YOUNIB ORGANIZATION has launched a critical initiative to address this gap, aiming to enhance school attendance, academic performance, and mental health among vulnerable girls by providing sanitary pads and integrating menstrual hygiene education.

Girls in Njiru face a harsh reality when it comes to menstrual health. Lack of access to sanitary products, coupled with stigma and inadequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management, forces many to miss school during their periods. This absenteeism contributes to lower academic performance, diminished self-esteem, and heightened anxiety. Research underscores the linkage between menstrual health and psychosocial well-being, girls without access to pads often experience shame, depression, and social withdrawal.

To tackle these challenges head-on, YOUNIB ORGANIZATION, in partnership with Missio Aachen, has initiated a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support program in schools within Njiru Sub-County. The project targets 2000 girls across primary and secondary schools, providing them with sanitary pads to ensure they can manage their menstruation with dignity. Crucially, the initiative also integrates menstrual hygiene education into YOUNIB’s youth framework, equipping girls with knowledge to navigate their menstrual cycles confidently and reducing stigma around the topic.

The primary goal of this project is to improve school attendance, academic outcomes, and mental health among girls in Njiru. By addressing the practical needs of menstrual hygiene through the distribution of sanitary pads and embedding education on the topic, YOUNIB and Missio Aachen seek to:

– Reduce absenteeism linked to menstruation.

– Boost girls’ confidence and self-esteem in managing their menstrual health.

– Foster a supportive environment in schools where girls can discuss menstrual hygiene openly without fear of stigma.

This initiative is more than a provision of sanitary products; it is an empowerment strategy. By ensuring girls have access to the resources they need to manage their menstruation, YOUNIB and Missio Aachen are helping to break the cycle of disadvantage that often accompanies poverty and gender inequality in informal settlements. As these girls experience fewer disruptions in their education and reduced anxiety around menstrual health, they are better positioned to thrive academically and emotionally.

YOUNIB’s work in Njiru, supported by Missio Aachen, highlights the organization’s commitment to addressing multifaceted challenges faced by vulnerable youth. As Reverend Fr. Serge Patrick, notes, integrating menstrual hygiene support into broader mental health and psychosocial programs is key to creating lasting impact in marginalized communities.