Dtb Menstrual Health Initiative Garissa

Girls students from Jaribu primary school line up to receive their life dignity kit comprising of six reusable sanitary towels and two undergarments. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Dr. Aruna Varsani displays the dignity kit during the official launch of the Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) 2026 phase flagship programme dubbed #AchieveMoreGirl. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

William Amayo, Head of Branches DTB speaking at the event. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

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Garissa Deputy governor Abdi Dagane speaking at the event. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Zeitun Khalif from the Kenya Red Cross speaking at the event. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Diamond Trust Bank has launched its #AchieveMoreGirl programme in Garissa, providing sanitary products and training to empower girls.

The programme seeks to reduce school absenteeism and dropouts.

The initiative is implemented in partnership with Together for Better, which specialises in reusable pad production and menstrual health training.

Stakeholders in Garissa have highlighted the growing challenge of menstrual health and hygiene among girls, particularly Somali girls, as a major contributor to missed school days and dropouts.

The launch, at Jaribu Primary School, brought together parents, students, education stakeholders and development partners.

The programme targets 7,000 girls across four counties of Garissa, Kajiado, Kakamega and Kirinyaga.

In Garissa alone, 1,700 girls from four schools will receive dignity kits containing six reusable sanitary towels and two undergarments.

Speaking at the launch, DTB head of branches William Amayo reaffirmed the bank’s long-term commitment to expanding menstrual health access to 100,000 schoolgirls across Kenya by 2030.

He emphasised that the initiative aims to reduce school absenteeism while improving mental well-being and reproductive health among girls.

“Garissa represents more than a geographic milestone for us. It reflects our commitment to ensuring no girl’s education is interrupted simply because she lacks access to menstrual hygiene products or information,” Amayo said.

Together for Better founder Dr Aruna Varsani said Garissa was prioritised due to urgent need, stressing that many girls miss school simply because they cannot afford sanitary pads.

“For far too long, girls have missed school not because they lacked intelligence, but because they lacked a pad. This should not be happening in this day and age,” she said.

Garissa deputy governor Abdi Dagane commended DTB for promoting girl-child education and urged other institutions to follow suit.

“This exercise protects the dignity of our girls and ensures their dreams are not interrupted. Investing in our girls is investing in Garissa’s economic future,” he said.

Zeitun Khalif from the Kenya Red Cross emphasised the need to address both access to menstrual products and the stigma surrounding menstruation.

“This issue has greatly contributed to school dropouts. Period shaming must end,” she said.

Launched in 2020 with a five-year Sh50 million commitment, #AchieveMoreGirl has so far supported over 30,000 girls across 22 counties.