Galentine Care Launches Women-Led Sanitary Pad Factory in Homa Bay

Ending Period Poverty Through Local Manufacturing

Galentine Care Ltd has officially launched the Galentine Care Sanitary Pad Factory in Kasgunga Ward, Suba North, Homa Bay County. The women-led manufacturing social enterprise aims to end period poverty through affordable, locally produced sanitary pads while creating dignified jobs for women.

Homa Bay Governor Hon. Gladys Wanga presided over the launch alongside county leaders, Members of Parliament, development partners, educators, and community representatives.

Students from Nyamasore Girls Secondary School also attended and shared powerful reflections on the realities girls face when they lack menstrual products.

Galentine Care operates at the intersection of women’s health, economic justice, and sustainable enterprise. Unlike traditional factories, it runs as an employee-owned business.

Women serve not only as workers but also as shareholders, building income, leadership skills, and long-term agency.

Galentine Care Launches Women-Led Sanitary Pad Factory in Homa Bay

Affordable Access and Education at the Core

Based in Mbita, the factory produces high-quality sanitary pads designed by women for women. The pads sell at prices up to 60 percent lower than market rates, with packs costing as little as KSh 50.

In addition, Galentine Care will donate part of its output to local schools to reduce menstrual-related absenteeism.

“This is not charity. This is a social enterprise rooted in dignity,” said Governor Wanga. She linked period poverty to school absenteeism, vulnerability, and teenage pregnancy, noting that local solutions offer lasting impact.

Homa Bay County continues to record Kenya’s highest teenage pregnancy rates. In 2024 alone, over 17,000 teenage girls became pregnant. By mid-2025, the county had already recorded more than 10,000 new cases.

Community evidence shows that period poverty increases vulnerability, including exposure to exploitative and transactional situations.

“No girl should miss school because of her period,” said Hon. Millie Mabona, MP. She emphasized that local investment and smart legislation can protect dignity while creating jobs.

Scaling Impact Through Community-Driven Solutions

Galentine Care designed its model through direct engagement with women in the community. Founder and CEO Peter Macodida explained that research showed 97 percent of women in Homa Bay could afford pads priced at KSh 50.

That insight shaped the entire business model.

At full scale, Galentine Care plans to grow from 17 trained women workers to over 200 by Year Three. The company also aims to reach 112,000 women in Year One and 430,000 by Year Three. Profits will fund job creation, profit-sharing, and free pads for schools.

The factory meets KEBS and ISO standards and produces up to 200 pads per minute. As a result, it ensures quality, safety, and reliable supply while anchoring industrial development locally.

Building a Replicable Model for Kenya

Founded just nine months ago, Galentine Care is backed by GalCare Inc (USA). The founders plan to replicate the model across multiple counties. Co-founders Stephanie March and Tracy Mackavin stressed that investing in women-led manufacturing delivers both social and economic returns.

“This factory is not just a facility, it is a movement,” said Mackavin. “When women lead, communities thrive.”

The launch concluded with a factory tour and engagement with women changemakers now operating automated machinery.

Many began by producing pads manually. Today, they stand at the center of a scalable solution that keeps girls in school and strengthens local economies.

As Kenya debates menstrual health policy and access to sanitary products, Galentine Care offers a clear example of what works when innovation, policy, and community leadership align.