Youth Friendly Centers would help Solve the Unmet Reproductive Health Needs of Young People

Adolescents in Kenya have several unmet health and wellbeing needs characterized by numerous barriers: Reproductive health, HIV, drug and substance abuse, poverty, road accidents, early pregnancy, child marriage, harmful traditional practices, internet safety, among others greatly affect their health indicators.

In Kilifi County, about 1 in 5 (24%) people are adolescents aged 10-19. Half of Kilifi County women (25-49 years old) were married by age 19 and half of the men (30-54 years old) by age 25. 22% of girls aged 15-19 years in Kilifi County have begun childbearing; higher than the national level. 20% of currently married girls aged 15- 19 use modern contraceptives.

Last year, the county hit the headlines after reports indicated that more than 13,000 girls became pregnant. The number rose to more than 17,000. Some of them were KCSE and KCPE candidates.
It has taken  a joint intervention between County Government departments of Gender, Culture and Social Services, Health and Sanitation, and Education. Also brought on board is the  national government and nongovernmental organisations.

A 17-member task force has been formed by Governor Amason Kingi to look into the problem. It will go to the ground on a fact-finding mission. It will come up with a report at the end of this month.

Through a Joint Advocacy Campaign between Safe Community,Dream Achiever and Pwani Youth Network through the support of DSW [ SLALE Project] the youth led organization are advocating for safe spaces for young people in the County.

The 3 Organization have been engaging to two department of county to help them fulfill the county Commitment of setting up 7 Youth friendly center as stipulated in the CIDP.

The CEC for health and Youth Gender and Sports have been very positive of this campaign  and is hoping that the county process would be fasten to help give way  for the implementation of that

Currently the Campaign is working through the Umbrella Consortium of  Youth Action For Aysrhr