Keeping Women and Girls in Class

Across Kenya, millions of women and girls face the daily challenge of period poverty. For many, managing their periods is not just a matter of hygiene but a barrier to education and dignity.

According to the World Bank,65% of women and girls in Kenya cannot afford sanitary pads.This forces many girls to stay home during their periods, missing up to 20% of the school year, as reported by UNESCO. Some eventually drop out of school entirely.

Without access to proper menstrual products, many resort to using unsafe materials like rags, tissue, or leaves, putting their health at risk. The stigma surrounding menstruation only makes things worse, leaving many girls feeling isolated and ashamed. Period poverty is not just a health issue; it is a human rights issue that affects education, confidence, and the future of girls and women across the country.

Our Commitment: Restoring Dignity and Opportunity

At Action for Refugee Life (AReL), we believe that no woman or girl should have to choose between her education and her period. That belief inspired us to launch the AReL Menstrual Hygiene Campaign, a long-term initiative dedicated to providing menstrual kits and education to the women and girls in our programs. This campaign takes a holistic approach. We do not just provide sanitary pads. We also create open spaces for education, dialogue, and awareness about menstrual health. We aim to build confidence, break taboos, and help every girl understand that menstruation is natural and nothing to be ashamed of.

Our vision is clear: Keeping Women and Girls in Class. By ensuring that girls can attend school every day of the month, we are giving them a fair chance to learn, dream, and shape their own futures.

Why This Matters

Menstrual health is about dignity, equality, and opportunity. When girls stay in school, they have better chances to reach their goals and lift their families and communities out of poverty. Education empowers. When we support girls to stay in class, we are not just changing their lives; we are transforming entire communities.

Through this campaign, AReL is working to end period poverty and restore the confidence and self-worth of every girl we reach.

Join Us

You can be part of this change.

We invite individuals, organizations, and partners to join us in supporting the AReL Menstrual Hygiene Campaign. Your contribution, whether through donations, partnerships, or advocacy, will help us provide menstrual kits, deliver education, and spread awareness to keep women and girls in class.

Together, we can end period poverty and create a future where no girl misses school because of her period. Get in touch with us to contribute or partner with us in making this campaign a reality.

About AReL

Action for Refugee Life (AReL) is a social enterprise committed to empowering forcibly displaced and marginalized individuals through education, technology, and business training. Our goal is to create opportunities for self-reliance, employment, and long-term stability. At AReL, we believe in inclusion, empowerment, and the right of every person, regardless of background, to reach their full potential.