On Tuesday this
week, NAYA Kenya and United Nations Population Fund
(UNFPA) Kenya convened a stakeholder validation meeting in Nairobi
City County to review and validate the Menstrual Health Fiscal and Regulatory
Reform Report. The meeting brought together representatives from KRA(KENYA
REVENUE AUTHORITY), Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM),
the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), POLYCOM
GIRLS 💛💙💖, Real Relief,
the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund, UNICEF Kenya, The
National Gender and Equality Commission, International Center for
Research on Women (ICRW), African Population and Health Research
Center (APHRC), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), and other key
stakeholders committed to advancing menstrual equity in Kenya.
The discussions focused on strengthening proposed fiscal and regulatory reforms
to improve the affordability and accessibility of menstrual health products.
Some of the key
recommendations discussed included;
- Prioritising government procurement from local
manufacturers
- Increasing awareness of locally produced menstrual
products
- Distributing both reusable and disposable menstrual
products in schools
- Developing simplified KRA guidance on accessing
available fiscal incentives.
Stakeholders also
called for the prioritization of certified menstrual health products from
eligible local manufacturers in line with Kenya’s public procurement framework,
while reflecting on whether additional reforms should be considered to further
strengthen the sector.
The validation exercise marks a key step towards advancing policy solutions
that support local manufacturing, reduce costs, and ensure that women and girls
across Kenya have access to safe, affordable, and quality menstrual health
products.
