Disposal of menstrual waste and the taboo issue

Menstrual health products. (Courtesy/iStock)

While girls her age around the world attend school and enjoy learning, 14-year-old Susan* from Kajiado, moans in pain. Not only is she suffering from dysmenorrhoea, or menstrual cramps, but she is also psychologically traumatised.

Later in the day, she is forced to change the pads donated by well-wishers, and her anxiety increases. Living in an area where pit latrines are few or non-existent, she uses them not only to relieve herself, but also to dispose of used pads.

The topic of menstrual health management is still taboo in the Maasai community and is often discussed in hushed tones. Usually between mothers and daughters.

“It is taboo to burn one’s blood, and that would have been the ideal scenario for disposing of used pads or throwing them in the pit latrines. However, most households in Kajiado practice open defecation, which makes this virtually impossible,” says Jedidah Lemaron, the executive director of the Kajiado-based Malkia Initiative.

The Kajiado Baseline Survey 2020, found that more than half of the county residents (51 per cent) go on their business in the bushes, a practice embedded in the Maasai pastoralist way of life.

10th anniversary

As the world marked the 10th anniversary of Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, amidst all the pomp, stakeholders are still concerned about the issue of disposal of waste.

“The only private and safe space for these girls is in schools where you will find the facilities are inadequately kept, dirty, and used by both male and female students. There are frequently feature-damaged doors, significantly impacting the privacy of the female students,” says Jedidah.

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“For the girls, to avoid the shame and stigma associated with menstruating, they opt to skip classes and this eventually leads to poor performances, leading to low confidence and self-esteem. That is something that needs to be addressed,” adds Jedidah.

Away from the rural settings, in the city, the menace continues to bite in the same way. For adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) especially those living in the slums area, disposal of menstrual waste is a daunting task.

Winnie Otieno a community champion in the Mathare area has faced this conundrum, despite helping build an ablution block for Jangwani residents in the sprawling Mathare Slums.

“Young girls, especially teenagers are sensitive when it comes to their menstrual health due to the stigma associated with it. Most often hide the pads or those who use socks and pieces of mattresses, have difficulty disposing of them and after a few days, the whole house is engulfed in a foul stench. Others throw them in the ablution blocks, which end up blocking sewer lines,” says Winnie.

The informal settlements in the city lack effective waste management systems, resulting in the accumulation of waste, including menstrual waste, on streets and in open spaces.

“With garbage collection in the city being expensive, residents of Jangwani often dump their wastes into the Mathare River. In places in Kibera where we have flying toilets, girls wrap up the used pads and throw them casually in the streets. It is now a common eye sore alongside diapers. All these are non-biodegradable and the result is heaps of them along roadsides,” she adds.

Kenya launched its Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Policy in May 2020 and has made significant progress such as integrating MHM into various government initiatives.

“We have made significant strides in providing accurate information on menstruation and promoting affordable access to quality menstrual products and sanitation facilities. Sustainable menstrual waste management practices have been implemented through initiatives such as the ‘Epuka Uchafu Campaign’,” says Mary Muthoni, Principal Secretary of State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards in the Ministry of Health.