Chase Group Foundation and ZanaAfrica Group will tomorrow launch The Nia Network, a mobile application aimed at making countrywide sanitary pad distribution simpler.
The application will standardize the distribution methodology, directing donors to the disadvantaged schools, and monitoring the impact of pads on school performance metrics.
According to ZanaAfrica Founder and CEO, Megan White Mukuria, who launched the National Sanitary Towels Campaign in 2006 when she was then incoming-President of the Rotary Club of Nairobi South, “Studies show that girls who receive sanitary pads and related health education win back 75% more school, winning back six more weeks of school.
She adds that the technology will coordinate their efforts to reach all the girls who need pads, we could raise up a generation of educated girls who could break the generational cycle of poverty.
Chase Group has the same expectations.
Mr. Duncan Kabui, CEO, Chase Bank says,“Partnering with ZanaAfrica ties in to our aspiration of being in the forefront of women empowerment, as women are the core pillar of our society.”
Before they launch the app, Chase Group Foundation and ZanaAfrica say they will have a Sanitary Pad Giveaway Challenge for those interested in distributing sanitary pads to schoolgirls. Both the challenge form and app can be downloaded from the Chase Bank website.
According to estimates, 850,000 girls miss school every month due to a lack of sanitary pads. In 2012 alone stats found that 43 percent of Kenyans are under 15 years ol, half of this who would be girls.
Last year, The Nia Network distributed over 18 million sanitary pads to nearly 260,000 girls. The network also gave over 900,000 underpants to this kids.
The Nia Network was conceptualized in 2008, but only after partnering with Chase Group Foundation has it become a reality. This campaign, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Girl Child Network, P&G, and others, brought greater awareness to issue. Sanitary pads have been donated by the PaperSeed Foundation in the USA and adjustable underpants – so they can fit a girl of any size.
