Supporting Girls to Stay in School in Kenya
This article shares the key results and impact of a project supporting adolescent health, education and menstrual health in Meru County in Kenya, where many girls still face barriers to staying in school and accessing the services they need.
In 2025, CHASE Africa partnered with our long-standing partner Mount Kenya Trust to deliver an integrated Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR) project across Meru County. The project was generously supported by Paddy and Scott’s, a small UK based, for-profit business.
Working across 11 schools and the surrounding communities, the project combined school-based education, community outreach and improved access to youth-friendly health services.
Engaging the community through dialogues
Key Results:
- 3,198 adolescents reached with essential knowledge on sexual and reproductive health (1,860 girls and 1,338 boys)
- 883 family planning services provided to adolescents aged 19 and under
- 145,000+ community members reached through outreach and community dialogues
- 500 girls supported with dignity packs to improve menstrual health and school attendance
- 5,276 reusable pads produced locally, supporting both menstrual health access and women’s livelihoods
A key area of focus was menstrual health management, which remains a significant but often overlooked barrier to girls’ education. The project provided dignity packs and supported local production of reusable pads, helping reduce stigma and improve confidence and attendance in school.
At the start of the project, only 37% of girls across the 11 schools reported consistent access to sanitary products, and many missed school during their periods. In total, 44.71% of girls reported missing an average of three school days each month.
The production of reusable pads also created income-generating opportunities for women in the community.
Women earn a living though the production of reuasble pads
Esther, a Community Health Worker involved in pad production, describes how this has affected her life:
I started out as a small-scale farmer with a family to support, and like many others, I struggled to make ends meet… Later, I was fortunate to be onboarded as a Community Health Worker with Mount Kenya Trust in 2015.
This initiative is not only empowering us as women economically but is also playing a crucial role in keeping many girls in school by ensuring they have access to sustainable menstrual products.
Today, I am proud to say that I can provide better healthcare for my family, pay school fees, and enjoy a more stable and fulfilling family life.
Beyond schools, extensive community engagement through door-to-door visits and community dialogues, helped to change attitudes and reduce stigma around adolescents and SRHR services, making it easier for young people to access information and services.
Esther
Looking Ahead:
Together, these efforts have strengthened knowledge, improved access to services and supported girls to stay in school, while supporting communities to be more informed and self-reliant. Looking forward, the progress made in 2025 provides a strong foundation for continued impact in Meru County. With trained teachers, Community Health Workers and strengthened local systems in place, Mount Kenya Trust – supported by CHASE Africa and with continued funding from Paddy and Scott’s – will build on these achievements.
The next phase will focus on strengthening school-led education, expanding community outreach and improving menstrual health support, while tracking school attendance more closely to demonstrate long-term impact for girls and their communities