Data from the Gender Education Status Report 2025 by the National Gender and Equity Commission highlights the serious prevalence of harmful practices impacting school-aged children in Kenya.
The statistics reveal concerning gender disparities in various forms of abuse and exploitation.
Boys involved in child labour account for the highest percentage among the tracked metrics, standing at 21.91%. This figure underscores the economic vulnerabilities that push young boys into exploitative work environments.
The issue of child marriage, while affecting both sexes, is significantly higher among girls. Girls in child marriage are reported at 16.88%, a stark contrast to the boys in child marriage rate of 0.83%.
Similarly, girls involved in child labour are at 13.21%. The report notes a concerning trend where girls face more sexual violence, while boys report slightly more physical violence, pointing to distinct patterns of gender-based harm.
Beyond traditional forms of abuse, the report signals an emerging digital safety concern due to the presence of online harassment.
Learners affected by Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) are reported at 6.69%. The overall data demands targeted interventions that address the specific vulnerabilities of both boys and girls, particularly in the areas of child labour, child marriage, and the growing threat of digital-based harm to ensure a safe learning environment for all Kenyan students.
