After the government of Kenya declared Covid 19 a national disaster, businesses, schools, and movement were curtailed. Many parents were left jobless and it became very difficult to meet the basic need of their families. With adolescent girls and young vulnerable women remaining at home, this made them more vulnerable and as a nation, we started retrogressing on the gains made to fight HIV and teenage pregnancies is rising at a very high rate. The government introduced a cash transfer program of KES 1000 per week equivalent to approximately 10 dollars. This only reached a few Households and it was entirely used for food only leaving the girls to be exploited by men in order to get sanitary pads in exchange for sexual favors.
According to reliable sources, one county recorded a rise of 4000 pregnant teenage girls during this COVID times. Teenage pregnancy is an indication that girls are having unprotected sex and this also shows a risk of HIV/STIs infection. This informed the activity to support our Girls with sanitary pads as a way to curb this menace.
This activity took place within Nyeri and Murang’a counties where a total of 500 Girls were supported in both counties. The girls were so much impressed by the support and joy could not be hidden from their faces as per the attached clip. During this activity, we integrated Health talk and reproductive health talk
Eagle Neema acknowledges and appreciates the support that the SDA church through CKC/Union and Adventist Aid International Ministries for always supporting our community to up lift their lives inspired by the Holy Spirit they may see God working wonderers in their life. God bless you abundantly as you work in his vineyard.
Reported by: Hellen Mukure
Photo credits: Hellen Mukure
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