Red Cross Initiate Dialogue With Young Boys And Girls In Fight Against GBV
By Isabella Maua
Parents and guardians across Mt. Elgon have been urged to be observant of their children’s behaviour during this long holiday period in the quest to curb high rates of teenage pregnancy.
This was emphasized during an open session with over 150 adolescents drawn from Elgon and Kaptama wards, courtesy of the Kenya Red Cross with support from Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finland.
“It is saddening that Bungoma is leading in triple-threat HIV as well as LGBTQ, with 3,000 teenagers having been recruited to the unnatural vice,” reported Dr. Jesse Wamocho.
Many of the cases also happen during the school year, with adolescents aged between 10 and 19 comprising 40% of the population.
In matters of teenage pregnancies, Bungoma County recorded 12,000 cases in the year 2022.
It is demoralizing to note that over 8,000 cases were recorded in health centres during the period that the adolescents were at school.
“Between January and August 2023, there were 8,656 pregnancies, 680 new HIV infections, and 18 related deaths,” noted Dr. Wamocho.
According to the adolescents, however, ignorance and a lack of parental guidance have played a big role in the soaring indecent and unnatural behaviour amongst them.
“Our parents never talk to us openly about sex education because it is considered taboo in our culture; some are unavailable when we need them so as to share our experiences,” decried a 16-year-old adolescent.
Sosi Chemosit, chairperson of the Council of Elders, on his part, encouraged the adolescents to stay focused on their education regardless of the prevailing challenges since it’s the only noble equalizer.
“We’re grateful to the county government for its readiness to walk with the Red Cross in the quest to save our girls and boys who are slowly but surely losing track,” said Chemosit.
Though poverty has been repeatedly cited as the greatest challenge in the region, causing vulnerability among adolescents, they were encouraged to seek guidance and assistance from elders in society.
“Each day, four new HIV infections occur among adolescents, and 40% of the 60,000 commercial sex workers are teenagers. This is mostly because of peer pressure, which can be perfectly handled when we stay close to our parents and elders,” advised Evans Nyakundi,Deputy OCPD Kimilili.
Conclusively, Director Gender under the state department, Frederick Makokha, emphasized that discipline and self-control are key to eliminating many hindrances faced by teenagers.
“It’s very key that you avoid peer pressure regardless, heed parents and elders’ advice, and follow religious teachings for spiritual nourishment to avoid unnatural behaviours,” Makokha counselled.
The objective of the mission is to change behaviour and attitude on gender roles, a norm that has been a contributing factor to GBV in Mt. Elgon.
In the latest shocking revelation, St. Thomas Aquinas Chesikaki in Cheptais subcounty reported over fifty teenage pregnancies.
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