Last week, the National Council for Population and Development released new teenage pregnancies data that shows huge investments should be made to curb the issue.
Some of the major drivers of teen pregnancies include sexual violence, forced marriage, poverty, peer pressure and lack of inadequate information and services on reproductive health.
Access to information and educating students on reproductive health may solve this problem.
Adolescent pregnancy impedes girls and women’s ability to meaningfully contribute to national development. They also risk contracting HIV and STIs.
Between January and October, Nairobi recorded 2,379 cases.
Among Kenyan adolescents and youths, some of the sexual and reproductive health issues that they face include teenage pregnancies, early child marriage, female genital mutilation, sexual and gender-based violence.
Others are lack access to affordable contraceptive information and services, including condoms, menstrual hygiene, sex, sexuality, safe abortion services, post-abortion care, drug and substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and other Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Comprehensive sexuality education involves giving age-appropriate and culturally sensitive sex education to adolescents and young people.
It provides information about reproductive health, for instance, body changes, friends and relationships, culture, human rights, teenage pregnancies, protection against STIs and HIV, self-esteem, life skills, future dreams and plans, Gender-based violence among many others.
Speaking about sex should not be seen as taboo, because sex education is not only about sex, but also social and health issues that young people continue to face.
Access to verified, quality and comprehensive information is one of the most sustainable and best ways to ensure we reduce some of the negative outcomes when it comes to reproductive health.
CSE seeks to give students, the knowledge, attitude, skills, and values to make informed appropriate and healthy choices about their sexuality and lifestyle.
CSE in Kenya has been opposed leading to a misunderstanding of what it entails.
Access to safe abortion for rape and defilement of survivors is recognized within the Constitution amongst other policies and guidelines.
Most of these young people are engaging in sex without the required information they need.
They should however be protected snd empowered to make informed choices about their bodies, to be safe and remain healthy.
The writer is a Sexual reproductive health and rights advocate.
Sexual reproductive health and rights advocate
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
