KELIN, alongside local partners, celebrated the International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) 2024 in Kisumu County at the Mama Grace Onyango Cultural and Social Centre. The theme of the event was “Girls’ Vision for the Future.” Key figures, including Kisumu County officers, police, community leaders, and civil society organizations, gathered to provide girls and young women with vital information about Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH). They also discussed ways for girls to take up leadership roles in tackling the challenges they face.
One major concern is the “triple threat” – defilement, teenage pregnancies, and HIV infections – affecting many young people in Kenya. According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Survey[1] (KDHS), a significant number of young people have had their first sexual experience before turning 15. By the age of 19, 31% of girls have been pregnant. Shockingly, many young people, especially girls, lack knowledge about how to prevent HIV.[2] In 2021, girls and women made up 66.7% of all new HIV infections, with most cases involving those aged 15-24. Among them, 12% have had a live birth, 1% have had a pregnancy loss, and 3% are currently pregnant.
During the event, Elsie Milimu, KELIN’s Program Officer, led a discussion with young women on Access to Justice for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and Gender-Based Violence. She urged the government to create clear guidelines to ensure that young people can access reproductive health education, as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Notable leaders present at the IDGC event included Hon. Ruth Odinga, women’s representative for Kisumu County in the National Assembly, Hon Beatrice Odongo, the County Executive Committee member for Sports, Culture, Gender and Youth Affairs Kisumu County who eagerly received a memorandum from AYPs on their lived experiences and needs. These leaders reaffirmed their commitment to creating more opportunities and safe spaces for young people in Kisumu County.
KELIN remains devoted to ensuring that young people have access to reproductive health services, information, and supplies, working with all partners to achieve this goal.
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Website: www.kelinkenya.org
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For more information please contact, Elsie Milimu,
Program Officer- SRHR,
Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV/AIDS
[1] 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Survey
