Civil Society Organizations in Mombasa and Kilifi counties have decried lack of a clear menstrual hygiene policy to address the plight facing People with disabilities, especially young girls.

According to the lobbyists, this has been a blow to girls with disability in learning institutions and the community.

Gaetano Muganda from Dream Achievers youth organization while speaking to the media in Mombasa said most of the girls with disabilities lack access to information on menstrual hygiene management.

Muganda said most educational facilities in the Coast region are not disability-friendly.

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“There is no clear policy to address menstrual hygiene management to people with disabilities, especially young girls,” he said

He also cites stigma as a big blow for girls with disability.

He notes that most of the girls with disabilities come from poor families.

He said according to the 2019 census, about 2.2 per cent of the total population consists of people with disability.

At the same time Monitoring and evaluation officer, Winnie Lozi cites discrimination as a challenge to girls with disability.

She, however, wants the county government to descend to the grassroots level in a bid to collect PWD data.

Connect to retain Programs officer  Kenfaith Kiruta wants Kilifi county government to develop a clear policy on PWD menstrual hygiene.

According to Kiruta, the percentage of girls with disabilities currently pregnant is high.

Said Kiruta “We are developing a menstrual hygiene policy that seeks to address the challenges facing girls with disabilities. We are also sensitizing the community on menstrual hygiene,”