Kenya (2022 & 2023) — 402 women & men interviewed

Locations: Kibera, Rongai, Kawangware, Narok, Kitui, and Kangemi.

Products used to manage blood includes: rags, cotton, wool, blankets, newspaper, towels, pads, mattress filling, reusable pads, sitting on holes, oiled animal skins, menstrual cups, and tampons.

“We dig on a hole in the ground inside the house and sit on it to collect blood for sometimes 12 hours”

“[I] sometimes have to use one pad for two months”

83.63% said they personally participate or know someone who trades sex for pads.

“Sex for pads is the main reason females participate in transactional sex because pads are the most inaccessible basic need.”

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“Your vagina is your bank. It’s so discouraging. I want to tell men to help girls but not take advantage of girls. Don’t ask for sex”