400 girls benefit from free sanitary towels

She regretted that many girls miss classes or drop out of school due to a lack of sanitary towels.

"For the government to achieve Vision 2030, it needs to ensure girls, especially from marginalised counties, attend school fully. It's through education that the much-needed development in every community can be realised," she said.

"Many parents support education but lack of sanitary towels will demoralise girls from furthering their studies because of discomfort and embarrassment," she added.

Marisim called on other stakeholders to help retain girls in school.

Area Senior Chief Daniel ole Kintalel said most girls in the Maa community need protection as they are forced out of school due to early marriages, teenage pregnancies and lack of sanitary towels among other traditional practices.

"Many parents from marginalised counties don't value pads as a basic need. As leaders we need to educate parents so girls can compete with boys on a level playing field," he said.

He called on all leaders to fight retrogressive practices that hinder girls from accessing quality education.