OUR YOUNG GIRLS WHO ARE OUR FUTURE WOMEN NEED HELP On 26th August this year, we watched in shock as Judy Kosgei of Citizen TV reported the shocking details of how girls in Baringo South opted to use goat skin, chicken feathers, soil and even leaves during their periods for lack of an option. This revelation was so shocking that Baringo County residents took their debate to social media to discuss the issue on periods of shame as aired on a national TV. Many could not believe the details of the newscast. The social media was awash with denials from the local residents. The feature ruffled the feathers of some politicians within the county. Area MP Grace Kipchoim and a section of the Baringo county assembly strongly criticised the feature claiming it was stage-managed to depict the area in bad light. I want to clarify that the news about the plight of the girl child in Marigat that have been aired tonight on one of local radio and Tv stations are not TRUE. Reacted Baringo South MP, Grace Kipchoim. The MP said being a woman and having been brought up in Arabal and considering the years, she had never went through nor encountered or even heard of such. During my campaigns, I took my time to visit almost every village and we even had forums with women and at no point was such an issue raised. To all residents of Baringo South and all Kenyans, I say with confidence that I know my people well and whatever the motive/picture the news was intended to create, it should be condemned. I urge our able reporters to exercise ethics in their line of duty and profession and never to be used as guns for hire. added the MP One nominated County Assembly Member Cynthia Kiptui refuted the claims and callously suggested that the girls should use their clothes and mattresses as sanitary towels. These denials surfaced despite the governments confirmation that Marigat district is yet to benefit from the Ministry of Educations free sanitary towels program launched in 2010. But according to the Governor Benjamin Chesire Cheboi, the Women Representative Grace Kiptui and the District Education officer, the problem is in fact bigger than highlighted in the “Period of Shame”. The Kenyan govt slashed the amount allocated for provision of free sanitary towels by 99 million shillings in the financial year 2013/2014, this is from the 300 million shillings allocated previously to the Ministry of Education for the provision of sanitary towels to 568,925 needy girls between class 6 and 8, a fraction of the 2.5 million in need of the towels. Today the first lady, Margaret Kenyatta, launches the Inua Dada Campaign; a joint initiative between the Kenya Red Cross Society and Citizen TV to ensure that girls in Marigat have access to sanitary towels and empowerment through sustainable programmes. It become very serious and challenging when governments do not take basic needs serious
Posted on: Fri, 08 Nov 2013 13:43:14 +0000
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