Lobby decries sex-for-pads trend in Meru on schoolgirls
Desperate schoolgirls in Meru are offering sex to get money for sanitary pads, a mentorship forum has revealed.
“I am saddened to learn that some girls exchange sex for money to buy sanitary pads so that they can remain in school.
This puts them at risk of contracting HIV/Aids and getting early pregnancies,” said the Girls Excel Initiative Mentorship Programme patron Jennifer Riria.
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She said the organisation, which was launched at Kithangari Girls Secondary School in South Imenti, had bought sanitary towels for about 1,200 girls.
Technical subjects
Riria said many girls had suffered ridicule because they cannot afford pads.
She called on the government to step up distribution of sanitary pads to all schools, including those in remote areas.
She encouraged the girls to work hard in school and take up science and technical subjects.
Riria, the Echo Network Africa CEO, said the market was ready for the female gender and urged the girls to take up subjects that will enable them to be independent.
“I challenge young girls to look for solutions in maths, innovations and chemistry,” Riria said.
Purity Ngina, a biomathematics PhD holder, said girls should aim at shattering the glass ceiling because jobs are available. —KNA
