BQ Reporter 
Rubis Energy Group Managing Director & CEO East Africa, Jean- Christian Bergeron (left), interacts with Lynn Chebet (centre) a professional athlete and Girls Run Period- Founder, Susan Namulindwa during The GirlsRun initiative seeks to support the Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) program.[Photo/Courtesy]
RUBiS Energy Kenya has sponsored the GirlsRun marathon, an initiative supporting menstrual hygiene, in partnership with Women Development Centre (WODEC) and Kenya Community Sports Foundation(KESOFO).
This is in preparation of the GirlsRun Marathon that will be taking place in October this year.
The Girls Run initiative seeks to support the Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) program run by the Women Development Centre (WODEC) which supports girls through this stage of life and locally produces reusable sanitary pad kits.
RUBiS Energy Kenya Group Managing Director Mr. Jean-Christian Bergeron said social initiatives are a key component of RUBiS Energy’s commitment to being a responsible company that brings positive impact to the community.
“The GirlsRun gives us the opportunity to promote health, education and physical activity as a catalyst to raise awareness and support around the issue of girls health and wellbeing. Our focus on menstrual hygiene and period poverty initiatives through the donation of the reusable sanitary pad kits, will help the girls access the products they need and boost their confidence while uplifting women’s groups and the local economy in an environmentally conscious manner,” said Mr. Bergeron.
Speaking during the event, the Women Development Centre Director, Milkah Cherotich said “We are pleased to partner with RUBiS to support girls stay in school and reach their potential. Through their funding, we have been able to host sessions on Menstrual Hygiene Management, produce and distribute washable sanitary pads to the hard-to-reach girl populations in Kenya.”
The event was attended by over 600 participants comprising girls from select schools in the area and various athletes from the region. The athletes included Caroline Jepchirchir winner of Belfast and Edinburgh Marathon, Sarah Lagat – Champion – TrailRun Spain 2021 and Lynn Chebet among others. The initiative targets to distribute 1500 reusable sanitary pad kits to school-going girls in Elgeyo-Marakwet County.
“We are extremely grateful to RUBiS for trusting us to organize this sports event aimed at overcoming ‘period shame’ by providing vulnerable girls with sanitary towels and information about menstrual management. We are also very proud to see that sport is being used as an avenue to raise awareness on key issues affecting our communities”, said Wesley Chirchir, CEO of Kenya Community Sports Foundation.(KCSF)
RUBiS Energy Kenya plays an active role in corporate social responsibility activities themed around education, health, safety, and the environment. The oil marketer has most recently supported initiatives in areas of social integration and improvement of livelihoods through a partnership with the Kibera Black Stars Association, and in education through the RUBiS Energy Kenya Education Scholarship Fund.
