Adolescent girls from across Kenya convened in Nairobi for the 8th Annual Girls First Summit hosted by She’s the First. During the event, a panel of six girls openly discussed some of the challenges they face in accessing their health rights.
Shantel Mwikali, one of the panelists, highlighted Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as a major issue for young girls. She also mentioned early pregnancies and period poverty as key challenges faced by girls in remote areas.
“We as adolescent girls face so many challenges that hinder us from accessing quality education and our health rights,” said Mwikali. “Some of the girls have been forced to drop out of school due to early pregnancies.”
According to Kenya Demographic & Health Survey (KDHS) data for 2022, the prevalence of FGM is 15 percent in the country, meaning that 15 percent of girls and women aged 15 to 49 have been circumcised. This is much too high. Yet, progress is being made.
In her opening remarks, Kate Kiama, Director of Programs and Impact at She’s the First, emphasized the organization’s commitment to equipping women with essential skills and certifications to secure a brighter future for girls.
“By building women’s capacity, we ensure a brighter future for girls worldwide,” said Kiama. She also pointed out that discussions on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights are often avoided at the family level, making it difficult for adolescent girls to share their concerns with their parents
She’s the First is a global leader in girls’ education and empowerment, women’s rights; Leadership development; Youth development; Community and economic development; Reproductive health care; International development; Equal opportunity in education
This year the one-day event that brought together 40 grassroots organizations from 235 in 2023 aimed to impact practical training on girl-centered programs and Sexual Reproductive and Health Rights (SRHR) education
“This key event coincides with the launch of the groundbreaking Girls First Institute, designed to equip women leaders with the tools to transform communities and uplift girls, ” said Kiama.
Tina, who was also one of the panels during the one-hour talk added that security, clean water, access to sanitary towels, decent schools, and mental health support are some of the challenges young girls from the rural areas are grappling with.
“Lack of security during school going days have led to some of the girls getting impregnated by the motorcycle people better known as ‘Boda Boda’,” said Tina.
During the one-hour talk, girls with disabilities also shared that they face many barriers when joining programs due to lack of sign language interpreters and lack of access to information. “Communication is a problem when we get into such programs due to lack of sign language interpreters,” said one of the girls with a hearing disability.
“We need to be included in all programs, our families also need to be trained in sign language so that it can be easy for us to communicate with them,” she adds.
Another challenge the girls shared was lack of safe spaces to share and highlight their SRHR rights. “Many girls when faced with feelings, they don’t open up but keep to themselves resulting in anxiety, depression and substance use,” she said. “Parents pay attention to your children; you never know what they are going through.” they reiterated.
One girl added that some donated sanitary towels are not inclusive to the girls with heavy flows. “Some girls have heavy flows and others low; the donors need to put in mind and include sanitary towels that accommodate the girls with heavy flows,” she said.
They called upon authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of sexual offenders are brought to book like the ones who defile girls with disabilities.
She’s the First was founded 15 years ago in New York City and currently operates in East and West Africa, South Asia and Latin America with its headquarters in Nairobi. It is dedicated to a world where every girl can choose her future.
According to Kiama, She’s the First also formally launched the Girls First Institute, offering two certification levels, “Essential” and “Advanced,” to empower organizations and attract new funding opportunities.
“The Institute provides vital skills in girl-centered program design, feminist mentorship, and sexual and reproductive health and rights programming, addressing the lack of affordable, high-quality training for women-led, girl-focused organizations in the Global South,” reiterated Kiama.