The world’s youth population is 1.2 billion, a number projected to grow by seven per cent to 1.3 billion by 2030.
In Africa, over 60 per cent of the continent’s population is aged below 25, and by 2030, the target date for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, young Africans are expected to make up 42 per cent of the world’s youth.
Young people in Africa deserve to live long, productive lives that include good health, quality education, financial independence, and active participation in civic processes.
More recently, young people have had to cope with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated pre-existing challenges faced by this demographic.
Despite this, young people continue to be a shining light, constantly innovating solutions and being at the forefront of building back better post the pandemic.
Kenya has an estimated population of over 40 million people, growing at about one million each year with 45 per cent aged less than 15 years, and 19 per cent aged between 15 and 24 (KNBS and Macro).
Health is a priority in Kenya’s development agenda like Vision 2030 and medium-term plan 2014-2017.
It states that the government will emphasise universal access to preventive and primary healthcare, clean water, management of communicable diseases, maternal and child health, and non-communicable diseases.
It will also invest in medical research, pharmaceutical production and health tourism as a means of diversifying external revenue sources and serve as a regional hub for health services.
As it outlines youth and especially young women are at the centre of the country’s development agenda.
The country has invested in the response of sexual and reproductive health has seen the reduction of HIV prevalence by half over a decade, antiretroviral treatment scaled up to more than 800,00 and age of sexual debut increase from 14 to 16 years according to Kenya Aids Indicator Survey 2012.
Kenya’s commitment to addressing the issues affecting adolescents is demonstrated by the fact that Kenya is a signatory to several international and regional human rights treaties and declarations.
These include the ministerial commitment to comprehensive sexuality education and STH services for adolescents and young people in Eastern and Southern Africa 2013, Convection on the right of the child ratified in 1990, SDG approved by the world summit on sustainable development goals as well as Maputo plan of action.
Nationally, sexual reproductive health issues are addressed within various legislative and policy frameworks.
This includes the constitution of Kenya (2010) Child Act (2001), Prohibited FGM ACT (2011), HIV and Aids prevention Act (2006), Marriage Act (2014).
Others are National Reproductive Health Policy (2007) National Youth Policy (2007) National Gender-Based Violence (2014) and Kenya health policy (2012-2030)
Kenya has a favourable policy and legal context.
However, adolescents and young people, especially young women, still bear the brunt of the HIV epidemic because of limited access to sexual and reproductive health information, services and stigma and discrimination.
This is also due to the limited involvement of young people within the policy formulation and implementation programme.
In Kenya, 29 per cent of all new HIV cases are among adolescents and young people.
Aids is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among adolescents and young people in Kenya, 9,720 adolescents and young people died of Aids in 2014.
There is a need to address other aspects that have bearing on the health of young people.
This includes but is not limited to access to information among adolescents and young people reduction of age consent to HIV services and family planning.
Because many of these factors are beyond their control and often lead to poor health outcomes. They are more critical than access use of health care.
Young are leaders of today and their opportunities, needs, and choices regarding their health, rights, and wellbeing will define and shape the world.
They play a crucial role in advocacy for SRHR and engagement is not only their right but is pivotal to progress for all and to realising the SDGs.
Recognising the centrality of the role of young people opens the door for more robust and comprehensive collective efforts for meaningful youth engagement.
This initial effort to engage young people directly and to listen and take into account the barriers they identify and the tools and resources they need to more effectively engage offers a snapshot of the path ahead.
This makes it clear that more consultation, research, and documentation of lessons learned are needed to develop programmes and put forward a plan for how to take meaningful youth engagement to scale.
The government should tailor more programmes that will help young people to make informed decisions regarding their health.
Youth Advocate Reproductive Health Network Kenya
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
