Menstrual Hygiene Management, Period Poverty, and Educational Equity in Rural Secondary Schools

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 10, October 2026 | pp. 15–28

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/001316

Article Type: Research Article

Title: Menstrual Hygiene Management, Period Poverty, and Educational Equity in Rural Secondary Schools

Names of Author: Wambui Kariuki¹ & Eleanor Vance²

Author's Affiliation: ¹Department of Sociology and Social Work, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya; ²Department of International Education, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom.

Abstract:
Period poverty—defined as the lack of access to affordable menstrual products, clean water, private sanitation facilities, and accurate reproductive education—remains a major driver of school absenteeism among adolescent girls in low-income rural communities. Cultural taboos surrounding menstruation further subject schoolgirls to shame, teasing, and social isolation, undermining their academic confidence and classroom participation. While several governments have introduced free sanitary pad distribution schemes, supply chain bottlenecks and inadequate school infrastructure often limit their long-term impact. This paper evaluates holistic menstrual health interventions across rural secondary schools in western Kenya and Malawi. Utilizing feminist capability theory, the study draws upon participatory workshops with 85 female students, school nurses, and teachers. The findings indicate that combining sustainable menstrual product provision with gender-sensitive water infrastructure and de-stigmatizing peer education significantly improves school attendance and student well-being.

Keywords: Period poverty, menstrual hygiene management, educational equity, adolescent girls, capability theory, rural schools, Kenya, Malawi

Manuscript Timeline: Received: August 05, 2026; Revised: September 08, 2026; Accepted: September 12, 2026; Published: October 15, 2026.

Citation: Kariuki, W., & Vance, E. (2026). Menstrual Hygiene Management, Period Poverty, and Educational Equity in Rural Secondary Schools. African Journal of Gender and Women Studies, 11(10), 15–28. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/001316

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