Homa Bay: Education stakeholders in Homa Bay County have been challenged to double their efforts in tackling the high rate of teen pregnancies in the county. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue to safeguard the education of many girls.
According to Kenya News Agency, Governor Wanga highlighted that the latest Kenya Health and Demographic Survey (KHDS) indicates a 33 percent prevalence of teen pregnancies in Homa Bay. She pointed out that this issue contributes significantly to the high poverty levels in the area. To combat this, Governor Wanga has launched an initiative called Governor's Girls' Mentorship, which gathers adolescent girls from primary and secondary schools across the county. This program involves mentorship by leaders in various professional positions, aiming to inspire and educate the young girls.
Governor Wanga made these remarks at Ratang'a Girls Secondary School in Ndhiwa Sub-County during one of the mentorship sessions. Mentors at the event urged the girls to avoid premarital sex, with Wanga expressing concerns that unchecked teen pregnancies could hinder the emergence of future women leaders from Homa Bay. She stressed the importance of establishing strategies to protect girls from this challenge, encouraging them to reject any sexual advances.
Governor Wanga advised the girls to prioritize their education to achieve professional success in the future, regardless of their socioeconomic background. She called on all stakeholders to collaborate in eradicating the issue, noting that current statistics indicate three out of ten girls are affected by teen pregnancies.
During the event, over five thousand girls received free sanitary pads. Peter Zhang, Managing Director of Softcare, stated that the donation aimed to reduce the vulnerability of girls who might be coerced into exchanging sex for pads. Zhang affirmed Softcare's commitment to promoting girls' education and empowering them for a productive future.
Ndhiwa Deputy County Commissioner Lucy Ndemo assured that security personnel are vigilant in addressing defilement cases, emphasizing that perpetrators will face legal consequences. Dickens Bula, Chairman of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association, encouraged the girls to protect their integrity and resist any attempts to violate their rights.