THIKA, KIAMBU COUNTY — The Forum for African Women Educationalists in Kenya (FAWEK), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, recently organized a sensitization conference aimed at empowering boys and young men to actively champion girls’ rights and combat teenage pregnancy.
According to Kenya News Agency, the event in Thika was designed to shift attitudes and behaviors among boys and young men, encouraging them to take a proactive role in preventing teenage pregnancies. The conference brought together over 50 participants, including government representatives, community leaders, religious figures, and students, highlighting the collaborative effort needed to address these societal challenges.
Masese emphasized the importance of male engagement in changing societal norms that contribute to gender inequality and discrimination. “Empowering boys and young men to speak against inequalities and challenge retrogressive cultures is a vital step toward building a more equitable and progressive society,” Masese stated during the two-day event held at a local hotel in Kiambu. She underscored the potential of young men to prevent pregnancies through responsible behaviors such as practicing abstinence or safe sex.
The conference also featured remarks from Thika West Deputy County Commissioner James Wanyoike, who outlined the government’s commitment to keeping children in school by ensuring a smooth transition from one grade to the next, despite challenges like teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, and gender-based violence.
Dickson Mugo, the patron of the Rurii Secondary School Tuseme Club, shared insights into the positive outcomes observed in his school since the introduction of gender equity initiatives. “From the year 2021 to 2023, we started sensitizing the boys on their role in preventing teen pregnancy and empowering the girls, and we have seen the number of cases reduce,” Mugo noted. He highlighted a significant decrease in teenage pregnancies among students since the club’s inception.
FAWEK, with the support of the Mastercard Foundation, is actively implementing the Imarisha Msichana programme across 20 counties in Kenya. This initiative aims to significantly reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy through Tuseme Clubs and other key interventions, fostering a supportive environment for both boys and girls to thrive.