Teenage pregnancies and early marriages are a major setback in the education of girls in Kajiado County.
According to the Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) 2022 report, Kajiado County recorded 22 per cent teenage pregnancies with a surge in the cases being witnessed during the COVID-19 period.
Other counties that recorded an upsurge in pregnancies among girls aged between 15-19 years include, Migori (22 per cent), Homabay (23 per cent), Siaya (21 per cent), Busia (18 per cent) Nairobi (8 per cent) and Machakos (11 per cent).
It is towards this end that the Forum for African Women Educationalists (K) FAWE, in conjunction with the Master Card Foundation launched the Imarisha Msichana Program that aims at reducing incidences of teenage pregnancies in Kenya.
The program targets girls aged 9-18 years and young women aged 19-25 years and is being implemented in 20 counties in Kenya: Nakuru, Nairobi, Machakos, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kiambu, Garissa, Bungoma, Kakamega, Nyeri, Migori, Murang’a, Kajiado, Narok, Homa-Bay, Trans-Nzoia, Nyandarua, Busia, Meru, Siaya, and Turkana.
According to Nelly Naserian FAWE (K), Kajiado County Project Coordinator, there has been a significant drop in teenage pregnancy cases in Kajiado County since the program was introduced in 2022.
Speaking at Piliwa Primary School in Kajiado Central, Naserian revealed that the Imarisha Msichana Program which is being implemented in 8 schools in the county has imparted girls with knowledge and life skills that has enabled them to become productive members of their communities.
She added that through the Program, Tuseme Clubs were established in schools where the girls are sensitized on reproduction, their sexuality and prevention of teenage pregnancy.
Tuseme Clubs provide a safe space for young girls to learn and express their views about the gender-based challenges that they face, which can be a major barrier to their participation and excelling in their education.
“We have seen a significant drop in teenage pregnancies in Kajiado County since the program was introduced. Girls have been educated on life skills and empowered to speak up on challenges they face through Tuseme Clubs,” said Naserian.
Ezekiel Tanchu, a teacher at Piliwa Primary School and the school’s patron of Tuseme Club, said since the program was implemented at the school, pupils have become more confident and are able to speak up on the challenges they face as adolescents.
Tanchu noted that the cases of teenage pregnancies have significantly dropped at the school resulting to many girls transiting to high school unlike the previous years.
He added that girls who dropped out of school due to pregnancy are encouraged and supported to go back to school through the re-entry programme.
By Rop Janet
