How Kwale NGO is helping curb teen pregnancies, early marriages

The future of many girls in Kwale County is now certain as they no longer worry about the social norms and traditional practices that pulled them back.

Teen pregnancies and early marriages that previously dimmed the dream candle of the majority of girls' in Kwale are now coming to an end.

Both girls and the community are effectively empowered through the She LEADS Programme an initiative run by a non-governmental organisation—Network for Adolescent and Youth of Africa, (Naya).

It is a five-year programme funded by Terre Des Hommes and seeks to increase the sustained influence of girls and young women on the decision-making and transformation of genders in formal and informal institutions.

The programme champions advocacy campaigns to support girls' education, leadership, self-awareness, equal rights and opportunities geared to end GBV and empower them socio-economically.

Through the project, many girls have found their way back to school and taken their spaces in society on matters of leadership.

At least 630 girls have been reached out across the county.

Mwanahalima Mohammed from Matuga subcounty is one of the many beneficiaries whose lives have been transformed.

Mohammed's educational journey was to stop in class eight. She narrowly escaped forced marriage, a vice that was previously common in the region.

"One of my parents didn't value a girl child's education and wanted me to get married," she said.

The 23-year-old had to stay out of school for three consecutive years to escape forced marriage. She survived on domestic house chores job to keep moving.

But she was rescued by the She Leads programme which helped her go back to school and continue with her education.

Her family was reached and engaged in various talks on the rights of girls and women in education and leadership and they have since changed and embraced girls' education and women's empowerment.

Mohammed is now in Form 3, doing well, and she has taken several leadership positions.

"I am the vice president in my school and also the vice chairperson in the She Leads group programme," she said.

Mohammed said she has also gained courage and run advocacy programnes in her community.

She helps create awareness against GBV and educate girls on their rights and legal procedures for reporting vices and seeking fair justice.

Another beneficiary Lucy Hassan from Lunga Lunga subcounty also has a reason to smile. She says the programme has made her strong and sharp.

Hassan had lost hope after giving birth at 18 years old.

The young mother said life was hard as she took the responsibility of raising the child alone, making it worse since she was unemployed.

Hassan said after getting wind of the She Leads programme from a colleague. She joined and everything changed. It has been two years since she joined the programme.

Hassan said the NGO helped her deal with mental stress as well as rebuild her self-confidence and hope in life.

She was also taken through empowerment programs where they were taught entrepreneurial skills and opportunities to enhance resilience.

This is because most teen pregnancies and early marriages are a result of poverty and peer pressure.

Hassan said through the empowerment programme, she started her own business. She now sells deras (Swahili long dresses).

"I thank God, I went through a lot but She Leads saved me. I run my business which is sustaining my family," she said.

Hassan said she got a platform to sensitise other girls and advocate for the rights of women and leadership in society.

She said with her mentorship and awareness initiatives many girls have been helped and saved from teen pregnancies and early marriages.

Jackline Musenya Musyoka from Msambweni subcounty also said the programme opened her eyes.

Musyoka said after completing her Form 4 education she never knew where to begin since her parents had no money for college education.

She said through the She Leads project, she got an opportunity to enroll in a technical college and took a hospitality and management course.

She is currently employed in a hotel within Ukunda.

Apart from that, Musyoka has helped change the negative mindset of many victims of teen pregnancies and early marriages.

She said the programme also built her self-esteem unlike before.

Naya programme associate Ndinya Esther said the She Leads programme targets three subcounties of Msambweni, Lunga Lunga and Matuga.

She said they are educating girls on rights, and leadership roles and empowering them on livelihood projects to fight poverty.

Esther said the girls operate in groups that work on various projects to help address challenges in specific areas and get educated on the rights of women.

Some of the projects include farming, beekeeping, arts, music and sports. 

She said they also link girls to various organisations and government opportunities to build networks and transform their lives.

Esther said the projects help the girls to generate income where they are taught how to save, table banking and tap on various opportunities.

She said since they started the programme in 2021, the number of teen pregnancies and early marriages has tremendously dropped as well as retrogressive traditions and cultures that hindered the progress of girls and women.