Abstract:
tract
The Maasai girl child is vulnerable to poor menstrual hygiene, teen pregnancies, early
marriages, domestic violence and female genital mutilation (FGM). Schools had
temporarily offered the girls a shelter towards these challenges. However, covid-19
pandemic led to indefinite closure of schools forcing the girls back home to the full
glare of these predicaments. Additionally, there was fear of the health pandemic
which had also affected the economy. This study aimed at examining how covid-19
pandemic had affected the welfare of the Maasai girl child in Narok county, Kenya. A
cross-sectional design of study was used. Data was collected using questionnaires and
by observations. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings
indicate that frustrations over lack of basic needs coupled with numerous domestic
violence incidences caused the girls to engage in ‘sex for sanitary towels’. 83.1% of
the girls did not use any sex protection means while majority of the rest used
ineffective methods. FGM was at its peak as there was abundant time to practice it
and less government interference. In conclusion, the Maasai girls’ welfare was in dire
need for external assistance. Government and non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) should urgently intervene to rescue the Maasai girl child.
Keywords: Maasai girl child; covid-19 break; teen pregnancies; early marriages; Female
Genital Mutilation
