West Pokot Residents Call for More Emphasis on Girl Child Education

By Benson Aswani,

Girl Child Education in West Pokot county has continued to face challenges due to community norms and harmful cultural practices within the community.

The gaps being faced in the education sector in West Pokot has pushed for a call to various stakeholders to cooperate to ensure that the challenges are faced out.

Meanwhile, according to Pter Moses, a participant in the wash and school health program, many of the girls have had to drop out of school due to the stigma they experience during their menstruation days.

Mr Pter noted how sanitary towels are inaccessible in most of the regions in West Pokot hence a huge contribution to absenteeism’s to schools which further leads to drop outs.

“Girls in the county face challenges in their education, especially when they are menstruating. Many of them are forced to stay at home due to the stigma they experience while in that situation,” said Pter.

In addition Pter noted that despite the fact that the government has been developing a program to distribute menstrual pads to girls in various schools, the program is not reliable, calling on philanthropists to intervene to ensure that girls continue their studies without worrying during menstruation.

“We appreciate that the government has been developing a plan to distribute menstrual pads in schools, but the problem is that the plan is not reliable. Those fabrics are brought immediately after a very long period,” he said.

His statement was emphasized by the health program coordinator in West Pokot County Evelyne Chepkemoi, who also called on male students to support their female colleagues when they are in that situation and not isolate them or cause stigma.

“Our request is for male students not to cause stigma for female children when they are on their period. But they should support them so they don’t feel left out,” said Chepkemoi.