Tackling Period Poverty Together – JICA Kenya Office & SOFY Unicharm East Africa Collaboration

In Kenya, 54% of girls face challenges in accessing sanitary products, and there is a widespread notion that talking about menstruation/periods is inappropriate (Ministry of Health, 2019). In an initiative to tackle this “period poverty,” JICA Kenya Office and SOFY Unicharm East Africa have collaborated to deliver menstruation health awareness sessions in Nairobi and Kisii. The sessions were conducted as a trial of private company led activities which contribute to both business promotion and social impact.

Sofy (owned by Japanese company Unicharm) is the leading brand of feminine care products in Asia and worldwide. SOFY Unicharm East Africa has begun manufacturing and selling high-quality sanitary pads in Kenya from January 2025. They have set budget-friendly options such as sales of individual sanitary pads, making their products accessible to those who cannot afford a whole package. SOFY Unicharm East Africa is also committed in delivering quality information on menstruation and empowerment to girls.

In Nairobi, Sofy staff delivered awareness raising sessions to 11 public schools, mostly around the Kibera informal settlement. JICA supported their initiative through the appointment of a local consultant to arrange the activities, and communication with relevant authorities where necessary. We were able to reach 5,578 learners in total through the trial. Contrary to our assumption that learners would be shy to speak up, many questions were raised from the girls in some of the sessions. Although puberty and menstruation health management is included in the school curriculum, we heard from teachers that they struggle to allocate enough time for the topic. We learned that private company lead sessions may supplement formal learning, and can provide a safe space for learners to express their thoughts.

Women in Kisii County face gender-based violence (GBV) more frequently compared to women in other parts of Kenya (KDHS, 2022). JICA has supported a local startup in Kisii which aspires the economic empowerment of GBV survivors. Building on this asset, JICA and Sofy collaborated with It is Well, a Community Based Organization in Kisii which supports GBV survivors to deliver awareness sessions in Kisii.

Survivors lead sessions in primary school, secondary school, special school for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and in the community. Prior to the sessions, Sofy provided training for the survivors, and JICA provided funding for the sessions. On top of information about menstruation, the sessions also touched upon what to do when faced with GBV, or issues regarding women’s health, for example breast and cervical cancer. These sessions presented a model of a hybrid of CSR and marketing activities, which can generate more impact to society by working with social workers and survivors in the community.

JICA Kenya Office and Sofy will continue exploring ways to contribute to gender equality, through partnership between public and private actors!