The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) joins Kenya and the global community in marking Menstrual Hygiene Day (MHD). The 2026 theme, “Together for a Period-Friendly World,” emphasizes the need for collective commitment in securing dignity and equity in menstrual health. This day highlights the critical importance of
menstrual hygiene and the urgent need for safe, affordable, and accessible menstrual health solutions. Although menstruation is a natural biological process, it’s masked with shame, myths, forced isolation and stigma across many communities ultimately perpetuating inequality and adverse health outcomes for millions of women and girls.

Globally, menstrual hygiene has gained increasing recognition as an essential aspect of public health, gender equality, and human dignity. Over the last few decades, governments, and grassroots movements have taken several measures to address menstrual hygiene management (MHM) challenges. The World Health Organization
(WHO), recognizes menstrual health as a public health and human rights issue, integrating it into broader health, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), and gender equality policies. There is larger emphasis on universal access to menstrual products, safe sanitation facilities, affordability, education, and stigma reduction.

Kenya has made notable progress towards advancing menstrual hygiene management. This marked through robust legal, policy, strategic programs and investments that include; a) Basic Education Act (2013) that provides for the right to education for all and further mandates government the responsibility to remove barriers to education, which include addressing period poverty as one of the barriers, b) Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Policy (2019–2030) providing that all women and girls should have access to safe, affordable menstrual products, adequate sanitation facilities, and
accurate information; and c) National School Health Policy (2019), that integrates menstrual hygiene into the school health programs with focus to among others , safe disposal facilities, reduction of stigma and absenteeism among girls. In 2020, the Kenyan government exempted sanitary products from Value Added Tax, making them more affordable and accessible to vulnerable women and girls.

Despite the foregoing efforts, communities in Kenya face several challenges that hinder achievement of equity in menstrual hygiene management. These include the traditions, myths and cultural stigma. There still exists significant cultural stigma surrounding
menstruation, especially in rural areas, which makes it difficult for people to access information and products without embarrassment. The population in hard to reach arid and semi-arid regions, struggle with inconsistent supply and distribution of menstrual hygiene products and solutions. Schools in some regions lack proper sanitation facilities for menstrual hygiene management, such as private and clean toilets with running water, soap, and disposal bins.

As the country commemorates the 2026 Menstrual Hygiene Day, the National Gender and Equality Commission calls upon all State and non-State actors to support menstrual hygiene programming through:-

i) Expanding the distribution of menstrual products beyond schools and institutions to include all vulnerable communities, street vendors, refugees, and those in informal settlements.
ii) Increasing investment in menstrual health education for both boys and girls to break the silence and stigma surrounding menstruation.
iii) Promoting sustainable menstrual products as an affordable and environmentally friendly alternative, especially in marginalized areas. This includes supporting innovative technologies and solutions for developing effective and affordable menstrual hygiene products
iv) Provision of safe and clean facilities. This include safe, clean, and private spaces for menstrual care, especially in schools, crèches and lactation centers, market places, workplaces including construction sites, and communities.

Hon. Rehema Jaldesa

Chairperson