School girls to get free sanitary towels

Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua's wife Margaret Karungaru joins girls from Nyeri D.E.B primary schools in a dance, on September 28,2016,after donates sanitary pads to them. Procter and Gamble the manufacturer of Always Brand, announced the start of the always keeping girls in school program in Nyeri which will see over 800 girls receive a year's supply of sanitary pads.PHOTO;KIBATA KIHU/STANDARD

More than 800 girls will receive a year's supply of sanitary pads and underwear.

The initiative is as a result of a partnership between governor Nderitu Gachagua's wife Margaret and consumer goods manufacturer, Proctor and Gamble (P&G).

P&G, the maker of Always, announced Thursday that it would provide the essential commodity to girls from vulnerable backgrounds under its 'Always Keeping Girls in School Programme.

The company hopes to keep more than 12,000 girls in school, many of whom cannot afford the sanitary pads and have to stay away from school during their menstruation.

Girls from poor backgrounds and rural areas lose 25 per cent of their school time during their periods.