For many young girls growing up in Nairobi’s informal settlements, a natural monthly cycle shouldn’t mean pausing their education. Yet, period poverty remains one of the leading causes of school absenteeism among adolescent girls in areas like Mathare. Without access to basic sanitary products, many are forced to stay home, falling behind academically.
At Farida Girls Foundation, we decided to tackle this challenge head-on by launching Mathare’s first-ever community Pad Bank.
“Period poverty isn’t just a health issue; it’s an education and human rights issue. When a girl misses school because she lacks a pad, we are limiting her future.” — Farida Atieno, Executive Director
A Sustainable, Monthly Pipeline
The Pad Bank isn’t a one-time donation drive. It is a structured, predictable pipeline built right inside the community at Kiboro Primary School. Every single month, vulnerable adolescent girls and young women visit the bank to receive their Dignity Packs, which include:
- High-quality sanitary towels
- Protective hygiene soap
- Clean underwear
By ensuring that access is consistent, we completely remove the financial burden from families who often have to choose between buying food or purchasing menstrual products.
The Impact So Far
Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and the trust of local parents, our combined dignity initiatives have reached over 8,000 girls across Mathare, Kibera, Mukuru, and Korogocho. School attendance among our club members has stabilized, and the stigma surrounding menstruation is finally beginning to fade.
When you support the Pad Bank, you aren’t just donating a product you are securing a girl’s right to learn without shame.