THE PROVISION OF SANITARY TOWELS BILL, 2024
Status Timeline
Proposed
Active now
Public Review
Pending
Debate
Pending
Executive
Pending
Final
Pending
Establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Committee
Establishes a corporate body under Section 4 to advise the government, coordinate national distribution, and provide free, sufficient, and quality sanitary towels (including tampons and menstrual cups) to women studying or working in public institutions and women in custody.
Creation of County Interdepartmental Committees
Establishes committees in each county under Section 13, chaired by the county executive committee member responsible for gender, to manage local distribution, advise county governments, and provide safe and environmentally friendly disposal mechanisms.
Up to KSh 10 Million Fine for Reselling Towels
Under Section 22, rebranding or reselling sanitary towels distributed by the committees is a criminal offence. First-time offenders face a fine of up to KSh 5 million, imprisonment up to three years, or both. Subsequent offences attract a fine of up to KSh 10 million, imprisonment up to five years, or both.
Consultation Mandate Under the Basic Education Act
Section 23 amends Section 18 of the Basic Education Act (No. 14 of 2013) to require that the preparation and submission of school-related plans under paragraph (k) be done in consultation with the newly established national committee.
Bill No.
Senate Bills No. 7 of 2024
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 44 of 2024
Sponsor
Gloria Orwoba
Background
The Provision of Sanitary Towels Bill, 2024, seeks to guarantee the right to quality, free, and sufficient sanitary towels for all women employed by or studying in public institutions, as well as women held within correctional facilities. The bill establishes administrative bodies at both national and county levels to implement, monitor, and regulate the distribution and disposal of these products.
Key Amendments
- Basic Education Act (No. 14 of 2013): Section 23 of the Bill amends Section 18 of this Act. It introduces a mandatory requirement for the relevant educational entities to consult with the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Provision of Sanitary Towels when preparing and submitting specific educational reports or plans.
New Obligations
- Inter-Ministerial Committee Responsibilities: Under Section 8, the national Committee must:
- Advise the government and coordinate the supply of sanitary towels.
- Provide free, sufficient, and quality sanitary towels to every woman employed by or studying in a public institution, and to every woman in correctional custody.
- Consult with county governments to establish safe and environmentally friendly mechanisms for towel disposal.
- Develop and manage a national register for all public institutions and correctional facilities requiring supply.
- County Interdepartmental Committees: Under Section 14, each county committee must:
- Advise county governments on the provision of towels in county public institutions.
- Directly provide free, sufficient, and quality sanitary towels to women employed or studying in county public institutions.
- Implement safe disposal mechanisms within the respective county.
Penalties
- Illegal Sale and Rebranding: Section 22 establishes strict penalties for individuals who rebrand or resell sanitary towels distributed by either the Inter-Ministerial Committee or a county interdepartmental committee:
- First Offence: A fine not exceeding KSh 5 million, imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both.
- Second or Subsequent Offence: A fine not exceeding KSh 10 million, imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both.
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