Mombasa: More than 500 girls from Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Tana River, and Taita-Taveta counties have converged in Mombasa for candid discussions on gender-based violence (GBV), sexual and reproductive health, and mental wellness ahead of the global 16 Days of Activism campaign.
According to Kenya News Agency, the 7th edition of the annual Girl Summit, convened by the Stretchers Youth Organisation, is themed 'Empowered girls, resilient communities: Unlocking coastal opportunities through innovation and inclusion.' The one-day summit at the Kenya School of Government will also provide a platform for the girls to be educated on reproductive health and sensitisation on how to avoid teenage pregnancies and sexual exploitation, as schools have been closed for the long holidays.
Stretchers Youth Organisation Executive Director Dickson Okong'o said young girls have borne the brunt of GBV, often without their voices being considered in decision-making processes. 'Even as the entire world prepares to celebrate the 16 days of activism. It is an opportunity for us to bring young girls and engage them and get to hear their voices on what they have to say on issues around GBV and the policies that are being developed,' stated Okong'o.
Commenting on mental health, Okong'o noted that many girls remain unaware of its impact on their well-being, despite facing significant challenges. 'We have seen cases of suicide from these young girls and women. We have seen cases where some girls are facing extreme challenges, and they lack people to speak to. The Girls Summit is a safe space where young girls can come, speak, engage freely and even have a voice on issues and policies that affect their lives,' he said.
The executive director of Stretchers further claimed that young girls are lagging on climate change initiatives, yet they have the wherewithal to shape the formulation of policies on climate change and development. 'We are here through the Girls Summit to engage these young girls and appreciate their diversity and get their opinion on the major issues that are affecting them and how best we can work together as different stakeholders and partners to ensure that we embrace the issues that young girls are facing,' he said.
Christine Rashid from the Strategic Community Development Organisation said girls are seeking meaningful involvement in policy formulation concerning their welfare. 'I hope that with the current surge of issues to do with femicide and GBV. We are hoping that from these engagements that we are having, these cases are going to reduce, and the voices of young girls and women are going to be heard,' said Rashid.
Mary Wasike, Stretchers Youth Organisation Project Officer, disclosed that many young girls face challenges in reporting GBV cases to the authorities, mainly due to a lack of information or fear of victimisation. Through the summit, the girls will be enlightened on access to justice. 'We just want the current leaders to at least take accountability and also see ways on how they can help the young women to be able to get justice in case of violation of GBV issues,' she said.