On 8-18 May 2017, KELIN engaged in a series of trainings to strengthen the capacity of 150 adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) on HIV, sexual and reproductive health and rights, sexual and gender based violence and women, land and property rights. The trainings were held in Homa Bay County which has the largest HIV burden in Kenya with AGYW accounting for a significant proportion of new HIV infections.
The participants of the training indicated that poverty; sexual violence, culture and gender are major drives for HIV infection among AGYW in Homa Bay County. Poverty and gender inequality are particularly significant because they lead to relationships between AGYW and significantly older men, “sponsors”, who they find themselves on an unequal footing with.
The series of trainings were characterized by learning sessions with facilitators discussing HIV, reproductive health, SGBV and women’s property rights. The evenings included bonfire sessions, which provided a safe space for discussion of sensitive issues where AGYW normally would not have an audience.
At the conclusion of each training the AGYW, in partnerships informed by their sub-counties, developed work plans to: engage partners in their communities to address the worrying rate of HIV infection; reach out to other AGYW to share the information they had received; and begin the journey of empowering other women in Homa Bay. The work plans shall be implemented by AGYW in their communities with support from KELIN and its partners.
To contribute to the discussions on this forum, follow KELIN on our social media platforms: Twitter: @KELINKenya #AGYW #breakingthebarrier or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya
For more information please contact;
Nerima Were
Programme Officer Sexual & Reproductive Health Rights
Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN)
4th Floor, Somak Building, Mombasa Road
Tel +254202515790; Cell +254790339963;
Email: nwere@kelinkenya.org
