Breaking the Menstrual Barrier: Philanthropic Support and Girls’ Class Attendance in Rural Secondary Schools in Kenya

Patricia Khavere Murefu, Paul Akumu Ogenga, and Jason Nganyi Esiokhunjira
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6914-756X1, 0000-0002-4543-26462, and 0000-0002-4685-71523
Emails: patriciamurefu74@gmail.com

Abstract: Menstrual hygiene challenges can disrupt girls’ schooling in rural communities. In Shinyalu Division, Kakamega East Sub-County, the Kakamega Forest Heritage Foundation (KFHF) implements an Education Support Programme (KFHFESP) providing sanitary towels and underpants to needy girls to address menstrual-related barriers. This study examined the effect of KFHFESP participation on girls’ class attendance in schools in Shinyalu Division. Guided by the Foundation’s Theory of Philanthropy, the study adopted an ex post facto research design. The target population comprised 1,156 Form Four girls, 400 beneficiaries and 756 non-beneficiaries. A sample of 596 respondents was selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires, interview schedules, and document analysis; 553 respondents participated (92.8%). Beneficiaries recorded higher mean attendance (54.8 days) than non-beneficiaries (47.2 days), a 7.6-day difference (t(523)=12.45, p<0.001). Regression confirmed a positive association after controlling for confounders(B=6.85, β=0.47, p<0.001), with the model explaining 37.5% of attendance variance. The study concludes that KFHFESP improves attendance and recommends scaling the programme and strengthening partnerships for menstrual hygiene support.