Previously, cases of teen pregnancies, child marriages, and girls dropping out of school were very common in Kwale county.
The vices threatened the existence of future leaders as girls lost interest in education and craved fancy weddings.
Many of them had low self-esteem and would only think of themselves as housewives.
They believed that leadership positions were reserved for men and would never consider pursuing one.
They lacked knowledge of leadership skills and how to defend their rights.
However, the girls are now empowered and rapidly rising to fight for equal leadership rights.
This follows frequent engagement on matters of leadership and advocacy through a project dubbed Stronger Community Organizations for Reproductive Equity.
The programme is implemented by Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung. It started in 2022 and ends this year.
The project is funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. SCORE is a two-year programme implemented in Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa and West Pokot.
The programme takes a purposive approach to enhancing the leadership and decision-making knowledge, skills, tools, support and networks for upcoming young women leaders as well as providing linkages to feminist movements.
Biasha Omar Jasho is one of the project's beneficiaries, whose life has been transformed by the initiative.
She is currently the Executive Director of the Msambweni Queens Self-Help Group.
Jasho used to be self-conscious and struggled to speak in public.
"I was so shy and did not believe in myself, but now I am a strong young woman," she said.
Jasho is also well-versed in advocacy, human rights, leadership and feminism.
She is currently one of many empowered girls advocating for women's and girls' rights.
She has helped save many girls' lives through community dialogues and empowerment programmes.
Through the project, Jasho has helped many girls regain their confidence and reclaim the dignity of women in her community.
"I talk to women about self-esteem, gender-based violence, gender equity, and leadership management skills," Jasho said.
Halima Hassan, a chairlady from One Love Group in the Lunga-Lunga subcounty, also has a similar story to tell.
Hassan amassed a lot of experiences in leadership, feminism and partnerships through the project.
She said the leadership programme enabled her to break barriers and move forward to defend women's rights.
Hassan said she is empowering fellow girls and women to take up leadership positions and become independent.
The majority of women in her area were hesitant to go for leadership posts because of cultures and traditions, she said.
She also leads campaigns against teen pregnancies and marriages.
A part from advocacy, Hassan challenges girls and women to engage in meaningful income generating activities.
"Women have bought the idea that men are superior and always depend on them for everything. So personal initiative is needed to empower them," she said.
Young Ladies Self-Help Group chairlady Mary Kadhoni said the two year project helped in growing her leadership and feminism skills.
Kadhoni said she helps girls form activism and empowerment groups and equip them with management skills.
She said before, most women groups collapsed because of ignorance and lack of capacity, adding that women didn't believe in themselves and let men take leadership positions.
Kadhoni said through the project, many girls are running community-based organisations and are making change in the society.
County Social Development Officer Mwingome Mwantenda hailed the project saying more girls and women have been empowered on leadership and feminism.
Mwantenda said the programme has enhanced women's capacity and promoted resilience.
She said the girls and women have become strong and knowledgeable on issues of advocacy, rights and gender equity.
