A non-governmental organization has embarked on creating awareness of Gender Based violence (GBV) among teenage and younger mothers in Ngong ward, Kajiado County.
The Inspire Teenagers Foundation in conjunction with the Forum for Women in Development, Democracy and Justice held this event to enlighten the teen mothers and young mothers on how to deal with the cases should they arise.
Founder and Director of Inspire Teenagers Foundation Susan Wavinya noted that fear, stigmatization and shame makes women not to report GBV adding that the discussion will create awareness by enlightening women on issues of gender based violence
“The aim of this sensitization is to engage young mothers and teens on issues of GBV and how to respond to such cases and issues of substance and drug abuse. It is in this forum that we want teenagers to support us in the fight against teenage pregnancies,” said Wavinya
She emphasized the need for teen mothers to be ambassadors in the fight and also encouraged them saying it is not the end of life even after being mothers at a young age.
Julian Nekesa, the programs coordinator Forum for Women in Development, Democracy and Justice noted that it is their mandate to support survivors and victims of GBV, refugee communities and trafficked persons to get justice.
“We have supported today’s event by giving information to young mothers on issues of GBV and teen pregnancies. We support young mothers from the age of 14-24 by giving livelihood skills such as tailoring, hairdressing, pastry and baking so that they can be independent economically. Once they go through a three month training they graduate and we give them start-up capital so that they can be economically independent,” Julian Nekesa said.
During the event, the girls were given sanitary towels because whenever they become mothers, they prioritize diapers over sanitary towels. They called upon people in the community to embrace women and give them safe places for them to speak up and help solve issues affecting the slum community.
The area Assistant chief, Stephen Wachira said, “Ngong location has recorded many cases of teen pregnancies and therefore we have met with the teen mothers to enlighten them and encourage them that there is life after being a mother at a young age. We give them support so that they can help us in curbing these cases by being ambassadors to the community.”
“As the local administration we have come up with a task force that will help us curb early pregnancies and early marriages amongst teens,” said Wachira.
Kajiado North sub-county has been ranked second on cases regarding teen pregnancies, with Ngong ward itself recording over 300 teen pregnancies. There is a high rate of teen pregnancies and early marriages due to substance and drug abuse and also due to mental health issues caused by broken families and homes with violence.
By Kimani Agnes
