In Kenya, as in many countries, adolescent girls are at risk of experiencing life-changing violations, including forced early marriage, sexual and gender-based violence, unwanted pregnancy, and female genital cutting.   

Such pressures are insurmountable without knowledge of their bodies and rights; yet, there is no consistent menstrual and reproductive health education (MRHE) to deliver this critical help.

If girls cannot get answers to their questions about puberty, or the tools for decision-making, they cannot make informed decisions in relationships. Compounding this challenge, 2 in 3 girls in Kenya cannot regularly access sanitary pads to manage their periods.   

Menstrual product deprivation paired with a dearth of information about adolescent health and human rights has been directly linked to high-risk sexual activity which only further entrenches negative gender norms. 

Twenty five percent of teen girls drop out of school by the time they reach puberty. Adolescent girls in Kenya are also disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic, accounting for two thirds of new infections. These harrowing statistics have grown as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic with rape, child pregnancies, and gender based violence deepening as a result of the social and economic impacts of Covid.

Simply put, adolescence can mean the end

of a Girl's potential. 

IT MARKS A TIME WHEN A GIRLS’ WORLD BEGINS TO NARROW, WHILE BOYS WORLD’S WIDEN. RATHER THAN ADOLESCENCE BEING A TIME OF HOPE AND EXPANSION, IT IS A TIME WHEN GIRLS’ OPPORTUNITIES BEGIN TO CONTRACT AND GENDER INEQUALITIES BEGIN TO DEEPEN.

The good news is: we have a proven solution.