2024 International Day of Girl Child held at Barut with calls on Government to ensure zero taxation on sanitary pads

Charity organizations advocating for the rights of girl child have appealed to Government to zero tax on sanitary towels.

They argue that such would ensure every girl can access the sanitary towels.

Speaking at Soar Kenya Academy in Barut, Nakuru West Sub county of Nakuru County on Friday October 11, 2024 during this year’s International Day of girl child, the organizations revealed that most girls from poor families miss school during their menstruation as they cannot access the sanitary towels.

Led by immediate past President Rotary Club of Nakuru Mr. James Yegon who is also the Director Soar Kenya Academy, they called on government to zero tax on sanitary towels and ensure access by all girls.

According to Yegon, Parliament has been passing Bills and policies on the same, but there is need to push for implementation.

He noted that this will enable keep girls in schools hence boost their performance.

“I want to thank our donors Steve Warner, Patricia Warner and Rotary club of Geneva Lake West for enabling this donations that will go a long way in keeping our girls in school. I would also like to appeal to the government to ensure no taxation on commodities such as sanitary towels so that our girls can remain in schools even during the menstruation,” he stated.

Sentiments echoed by Sally Kamau from Africa HEART Organization that has been spearheading a program dubbed ‘Freedom for Girls’.

Ms Sally who is the Coordinator ‘Freedom for Girls’ Project, noted that girls go through a lot of challenges in life but that should not hinder them from raising their voices and fighting for their rights.

She pointed out that donation of sanitary towels to school girls helps them stay put in schools and focus on their studies realizing their dreams.

Distribution of sanitary pads at SOAR Kenya Academy on October 11, 2024. PHOTO/PRISTONE MAMBILI

Sally challenged stakeholders and Government to step forward and support such initiatives that aimed at empowering girl child.

“We want to thank donors for supporting this noble Program of ensuring our girls get a one year full pack of sanitary pads to keep them in schools,” she said.

During the event, girls from 8 different schools benefited from the donation of one year full pack of sanitary pads and panties.

They were also taken through talk on hygiene by Sally Kamau.

Speaking to Journalists after the event, the girls lauded donors for stepping in to ensure they have sanitary towels for a while year.

Led by Shanice Quinter, Melamie Kemunto, and Mineva Owino, they noted that with such donations, then it means no girl shall miss school.

The 2024 International Day of the Girl theme is ‘Girls’ vision for the future’.

This year’s theme conveys both the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future.

It should be noted that today’s generation of girls is disproportionately affected by global crises of climate, conflict, poverty and pushback on hard won gains for human rights and gender equality.

Too many girls are still denied their rights, restricting their choices and limiting their futures.

Yet, recent analysis shows that girls are not only courageous in the face of crisis, but hopeful for the future.

Every day, they are taking action to realize a vision of a world in which all girls are protected, respected and empowered.

 

PRISTONE
Author: PRISTONE

Leave a Reply