The Senate Labour and Social Welfare Committee has expressed reservations about the Provision of Sanitary Towels Bill, 2024, citing potential financial and structural challenges.
The Bill, sponsored by nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba, seeks to provide free, quality, and adequate sanitary towels to women and girls in public institutions and correctional facilities.
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Key Concerns Raised by the Senate Committee
In a report presented by committee chair Julius Murgor, the panel revealed it had received over 90 submissions, with most recommending rejection of the Bill. The primary objections include:
- Bureaucratic Challenges: The Bill proposes establishing 48 county interdepartmental committees to manage procurement and distribution, which the committee deemed unnecessarily bureaucratic.
- Overlap with Existing Laws: The Basic Education Act and the Menstrual Hygiene Management Policy 2019-2023 already address menstrual hygiene. Section 39(k) of the Basic Education Act mandates free sanitary towels for girls in public basic education institutions, making parts of the Bill redundant.
- Funding Ambiguity: The Bill lacks a clear outline of funding sources, raising questions about its feasibility without overburdening taxpayers.
What’s Next for the Bill?
Despite these concerns, the committee stopped short of recommending outright rejection of the Bill.
Instead, it opted not to propose any amendments. The Bill is set to proceed to a second reading in the Senate when plenary sessions resume next year, where lawmakers will decide its fate.
Support and Opposition
Proponents of the Bill argue that it is a crucial step toward achieving menstrual equity, ensuring that no woman or girl is left behind due to a lack of access to sanitary products.
Critics, however, warn that it could strain public resources and create duplications within existing policies.
As the debate unfolds, stakeholders from various sectors await further deliberations, hoping for a resolution that balances the need for menstrual equity with practical implementation strategies.
