CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF ADOLESCENCE (CSA)
Access and utilization of Youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health is still a big challenge for the youth, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the global treaties on adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health and rights, access to and application of these services among the youth/adolescents remain unsatisfactory in low and middle-income countries which is a substantial barrier …
It is often said, educating a girl eradicates poverty in society. The SAFIRE program has taken the mandate of stepping into the community to reach out to almost every young girl through big sisters. Sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR) discussions at some point were taboo in the community. I, being one of the Big Sisters, …
On average a majority of women have a cycle of 28 days and the process takes up to five days every month. This is among the reasons why we observe menstrual hygiene management day every year. It is the day of creating awareness and demystifying taboos around menstrual hygiene management. Progress has been noted as …
Period poverty has always been an obstacle for so many young girls. They go to very extreme ends just to be able to afford sanitary towels or tampons. During my weekly sessions, I noticed that the number of girls attending had increased significantly. I was glad since this meant the sessions were being beneficial and …
Girls’ access to contraceptives and abortion care is often denied or hampered due to a range of barriers, many of which are rooted in abortion stigma. The stigma largely emanates from gender stereotypes, which are used to deny girls and women access to abortion and contraceptive services. This stereotype implies that women should put importance …
Adolescent sexual reproductive health advocacy and programming has gained traction in recent years. Sustainable Development Goal 3 aims to ensure universal access to SRH services by 2030, including FP, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs. In addition, adolescents have now been included in the World Health Organization’s …
Gender-based violence is rising as evidenced by a series of instances. Recently, we saw Boda Boda riders beat, grope, and rob a young woman motorist. Then came the insults hurled at Mama Ngina Kenyatta by a US-based blogger. Ida Odinga was heckled and booed in Meru, in the church of all places, last Saturday while …
A big sister from Ruiru narrates the attitude transformation she has experienced and witnessed so far in her community. She has been holding sessions right from the initiation of the SAFIRE project led her to interact with a number of young adolescent girls and their parents. Initially, she would get an average of two referrals …
Article By Esther Among many challenges that girls and women in Kenya face is lack of access to sexual and reproductive health rights. They are disproportionately burdened by early pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections including HIV and early marriages yet have limited voice over their bodies. Great progress has been made over years on empowering and …
Article by Levinah Omondi Levinah Omondi is a big sister in Ruiru, Kiambu county. A Big sister is a mentor to adolescent girls and young women who are mentored on various aspects of their lives key focus being in their reproductive health and rights. Through the various training and capacity strengthening opportunities Levinah Omondi has …