School girls in the tight grip of period poverty in Tana River

Menstruation causes approximately a million school-going girls to miss several days of school each month. [iStockphoto]

Aisha Kolombo, 18 (not her real name), is a Grade Seven student at Hatata Primary School in Mororo slums of Tana River County. Every month, she misses four school days because she lacks access to sanitary towels during her menstruation.

"Inability to afford pads during 'the curse' keeps me out of school, which greatly affects my class work," Aisha shares candidly.