The school outreach focuses on menstrual hygiene, sanitary products and counselling support for Kenyan schoolgirls.
A week-long outreach is providing sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education and counselling to schoolgirls, with Civility Voice Diplomat coordinating the programme.
A delegation of US-based leaders and humanitarian advocates is visiting Kenyan schools for a week-long programme to tackle period poverty through sanitary product donations, menstrual hygiene education and counselling.
The outreach, coordinated by Civility Voice Diplomat (CvD), has reached hundreds of schoolgirls with sanitary pads and menstrual cups. It also provides mental health support, with organisers seeking to address both the practical and emotional challenges girls face during menstruation.
Speaking in Kisii, members of the delegation said their work aims to protect girls’ dignity and support their education, particularly where a lack of menstrual products and stigma contribute to missed classes.
Support beyond sanitary products
Leadership strategist Dr Leslie Latimore-Lorfils, who previously served as a senior military officer, said the initiative is intended to help girls pursue their ambitions regardless of their backgrounds.
She described period poverty as a challenge that extends beyond access to pads, affecting self-esteem, dignity and educational opportunities. The delegation’s approach, she said, involves listening to girls and helping them find sustainable ways to manage their menstrual needs.
Latimore-Lorfils said counselling sessions are also helping participants build confidence, work through feelings of shame and cope with academic and social pressures. Those discussions form part of the outreach alongside the distribution of menstrual products.
Shandra Johnson, an advocate for mothers and girls, said the programme was motivated by the need to ensure schoolgirls feel supported during menstruation. She emphasised that girls should feel valued and understand that their education remains a priority.
Addressing barriers to school attendance
Dominic Obadiah, a humanitarian diplomat and founder of CvD, said the organisation is working to address menstrual challenges that cause girls to miss school.
He said the delegation had visited schools in rural and peri-urban areas, where shortages of sanitary products and stigma surrounding menstruation continue to affect attendance. Restoring dignity and helping girls remain in class are central to the organisation’s mission, he said.
The programme also includes education on menstrual hygiene and discussions aimed at challenging myths about menstruation. Organisers are combining this information with practical support rather than limiting the outreach to donations alone.
Reusable options and calls for partners
During the visits, the delegation introduced menstrual cups as a reusable, environmentally friendly alternative to disposable sanitary products. Delegates said the cups can last several years when properly maintained.
Craig Bruce of Evolve Advisory Group expressed the organisation’s support for the humanitarian initiative and encouraged more partners to invest in girls’ education. He said supporting girls also benefits the wider community.
The outreach is set to continue at other schools across Kenya during the week, under CvD’s coordination, with menstrual hygiene education and efforts to reduce stigma remaining key parts of the programme.
