All Protocols observed
• All distinguished delegates, industry partners, civil society, youth representatives, and experts present today
• Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning,
It is a profound honour to address this distinguished gathering at the Menstrual Health Symposium—an event that brings together practitioners, manufacturers, policymakers, scientists, youth leaders, and community champions. The collaboration between KEBS, UNFPA Kenya, & the Sanitation & Health Fund, The Ministry of Health reflects our shared commitment to advancing menstrual health and hygiene management in Kenya and positioning our country as a leader in Africa and globally.
As Chair of Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Technical Committee 069, which oversees standards for towels, medical and hygienic textile products, and as President of the Kenya Medical Association, I stand here representing both the scientific rigor of standards development and the public health realities faced daily by our communities.
Menstrual health is not only a hygiene issue—it is a matter of dignity, equity, economic opportunity, and human rights.
The State of Menstrual Health in Kenya
From the deliberations yesterday, expertly moderated by Kigen Korir & Amina, we heard a sobering yet encouraging picture:
• Millions of women and girls still struggle to access safe, affordable, quality menstrual products.
• In some regions, period stigma, misinformation, and cultural taboos continue to compromise health, education, and mental well-being.
• And yet, Kenya has made bold strides—legislative, manufacturing, and social—towards a future where no girl misses school, no woman is disadvantaged, and no household faces indignity because of menstruation.
The new insights into the Status of MHHM in Kenya, shared by UNFPA & the Keynote yesterday from MOH, reinforce what healthcare providers see daily: menstrual health is foundational to reproductive, maternal, adolescent, and community health.
Why Standards Matter: ISO TC 338 and the Future of Menstrual Product Quality
Yesterday’s discussions on ISO TC 338, the upcoming global standards for menstrual products, mark a turning point. For the first time, the world is aligning on what safety, absorbency, performance, and environmental quality should look like.
As KEBS, and particularly in TC 069, we are committed to ensuring Kenya is not a follower—but a leader.
Quality standards are not a barrier to industry.
They are an equaliser.
They protect the consumer, level the market, and prevent counterfeit or unsafe products from harming our people.
For manufacturers, compliance is not merely a regulatory requirement; it is a business opportunity. As highlighted by Dr Ann Mburu, Rose Kubende, Days for Girls, and Kulal International, our local industry has enormous capacity—when supported through innovation, testing infrastructure, and investment.
Manufacturing, Investment, and Tax Environment: A Moment of Possibility
Kenya stands on the verge of becoming a regional hub for menstrual product manufacturing. The trends presented by @Kenya Association of Manufacturers’ Davies Mwasame demonstrate this clearly.
But to unlock this potential, we must address:
1. Taxation barriers
2. Supply chain limitations
3. Access to quality raw materials
4. Burden of compliance costs for SMEs
The discussions led by Kenya Revenue Authority, industry partners, and innovators like Padmad underscored a key point:
We must not tax dignity.
Menstrual products are necessities—not luxuries—and taxation policies should reflect this reality.
Environmental Sustainability: Turning Challenges Into Opportunities
Menstrual waste is growing, and if not addressed, it will become a major environmental and public health challenge.
But as KIRDI and National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Uganda shared, this is also an opportunity:
• To innovate in biodegradable materials
• To invest in recycling and upcycling technologies
• To support community-level waste management solutions
• To promote reusable and climate-resilient menstrual health options
The youth voices of Cynthia, Tracy, and Faith reminded us that climate-resilient menstrual health is not a luxury for the future — it is a demand from the present generation.
Day 2 themes: Period Stigma, Equity, and Human Rights
Today, we focus on one of the most pervasive barriers—stigma.
Period stigma is not benign.
It silences girls in classrooms.
It isolates women in workplaces.
It erodes confidence, mental health, and agency.
We must dismantle stigma through:
• education,
• media advocacy,
• male engagement,
• community conversations,
• and national policy.
Later today, leaders such as Sonia Rajbans, Amina Abdi, and youth advocates will help us deepen this conversation.
A Call to Action: Advancing Menstrual Health and Hygiene in Kenya
As we prepare for the panel with Hon. Gloria Orwoba, MOH, KAM, and Polycom Girls, allow me to outline five national priorities that KEBS, KMA, and partners commit to champion:
1. Strengthen and fast-track adoption of menstrual product standards
Including alignment with ISO TC 338 to ensure safety, quality, and affordability.
2. Expand national access to menstrual products
Through tax reforms, local manufacturing support, and targeted subsidies for vulnerable populations.
3. Integrate menstrual health into Universal Health Coverage and school health programmes
MHHM must be recognised as essential in primary health care and adolescent health services.
4. Invest in research, innovation, and testing infrastructure
Kenya must build the capacity to test and certify products locally — supporting industry and protecting consumers.
5. Champion dignity, human rights, and community education
Ending stigma must be a multisectoral effort involving families, schools, faith communities, men, and boys.
In Closing
Colleagues and friends,
Menstrual health is not a women’s issue.
It is a national development issue, an economic issue, and a public health priority.
A society that empowers women and girls to manage menstruation with dignity is a society that invests in its future.
Let us — government, industry, civil society, academia, healthcare workers, and youth — commit today to building a Kenya where menstrual health is guaranteed for all.
I thank you all for your dedication, your expertise, and the spirit of collaboration that fills this room.
Asante sana, and I wish you fruitful deliberations.
Dr Simon Kigondu is the Chairman of KEBS TC069 & President of Kenya Medical Association