Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Welfare of the Maasai Girl Child in Narok County, Kenya

Abstract

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.

Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mini Review

“…The literature raised concerns over the increases in teenage pregnancies that were observed during the pandemic ( 21 – 23 ). In Kenya, most of the schools had more than 11 preexisting teenage mothers and the number of teenage mothers were expected to increase during the COVID-19 pandemic ( 22 ). Qualitative research with social workers in Zimbabwe also express concerns for the SRH of adolescents, highlighting issues of teenage pregnancies and increases in child marriage in response to the economic strain placed on families ( 23 ).…”

“…The literature described increases in child sexual abuse in African countries during the pandemic. In Kenya, for example, research shows that the economic impacts of the pandemic and social restrictions of the lockdown leaves women and girls vulnerable to domestic violence, increased risk of sexual exploitation, and may increase child marriage amongst girls ( 22 ). Similar concerns were raised in Uganda where sexual violence was the “third most reported form of child abuse contributing 20.1% of all the cases” ( 24 ).…”

“…In addition to contraceptives, articles in our sample also examined African adolescent girls' access to menstrual hygiene products during the pandemic. In Kenya, for instance, Masago and colleagues examined the impact of the pandemic on the welfare of Maasai girls ( 22 ). Their research showed that the Maasai girl child faced many SRH vulnerabilities such as bad menstrual hygiene, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, and early marriages ( 22 ).…”

“…In Kenya, for instance, Masago and colleagues examined the impact of the pandemic on the welfare of Maasai girls ( 22 ). Their research showed that the Maasai girl child faced many SRH vulnerabilities such as bad menstrual hygiene, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, and early marriages ( 22 ). As a result of the economic impact of the pandemic, Masago et al ( 22 ) found that some Maasai girls engaged in transactional sex with men in exchange for sanitary towels as their guardians were unable to purchase these necessities.…”

“…Their research showed that the Maasai girl child faced many SRH vulnerabilities such as bad menstrual hygiene, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, and early marriages ( 22 ). As a result of the economic impact of the pandemic, Masago et al ( 22 ) found that some Maasai girls engaged in transactional sex with men in exchange for sanitary towels as their guardians were unable to purchase these necessities. Similar findings were also shown in Zimbabwe, where Ndhlovu and Thembo ( 23 ) put forth that the national lockdown and restrictions had increased sexual reproductive health risks for women and girls in rural Zimbabwe.…”