The outbreak of Corona Virus and the continuous rise in infections in Kenya and particularly Nairobi increased the vulnerability of many young girls in the slums of Korogocho. Besides suspension of most economic activities devastating people’s means of livelihood. Further, with the loss of livelihoods particularly in low-income households, some children were forced into income-generating activities to support their families’ survival. It also led to the closure of learning institutions stopping the provision of free sanitary towels, which children from disadvantaged families rely on significantly. This raised the risk of young girls engaging in transactional sex in order to gain not only access to these essential needs but also to support their families.
During the pandemic, a lot of concern was raised on the rising number of early teenage pregnancies. Young girls get involved into involuntary sex in order to get what they are lacking and they are in dire need of i.e food, sanitary towels. The girls are lured with small money to help them buy food or sanitary towels which their parents/guardians are not able to buy for them due to the current hard economic times.
With provision of free sanitary towels to the vulnerable and marginalised young girls in the slums, through this, we strive to continuously empower and support adolescent girls especially during their periods by not only providing sanitary towels but also educating them about menstruation and menstrual hygiene. This intervention is a great way in supporting the slum girls by making sure that they can focus on their dreams and pass through menstruation with dignity.