Nairobi: As the world marked the International Day of the Girl Child and commemorated 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, Polycom Girls in Nairobi, in partnership with Room to Read, joined the global community in celebrating the power, voice, and potential of every girl.
According to Kenya News Agency, the celebration, themed 'The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead', called for renewed commitment to empower girls as agents of change and leaders in shaping a just and inclusive future. This year's event, held in Kibera, Nairobi, showcased Room to Read's global 'She Creates Change' project, a storytelling initiative that highlights the real-life journeys of girls who have overcome immense challenges to lead transformation in their communities.
In Kenya, Polycom Girls has localized this initiative across Kibera and Homa Bay County, combining storytelling, mentorship, and creativity to nurture leadership among adolescent girls. Speaking during the event, Board Member at Polycom Girls, Brenda Kalekye, emphasized the importance of amplifying the voices of young girls and celebrating their achievements despite adversity. Kalekye noted that by investing in education, leadership, and equality, the future of individual girls and societies as a whole can be transformed.
Kalekye further highlighted the challenges girls face in accessing sexual and reproductive health rights in informal settlements. Polycom Girls' programmes aim to address these challenges, keeping hundreds of girls in school by tackling issues around menstruation, education, and dignity. The event featured film screenings, interactive sharing circles, and a Siri Ya Mwezi comic session on menstrual health and dignity.
Polycom Girls Mentor Lavenda Odhiambo noted that the initiative aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), which are deeply intertwined in ensuring that girls gain knowledge, leadership skills, and confidence to change their communities. 'Through storytelling, we help girls relate, reflect, and rise,' she added.
Esther Musavi, Polycom Girls's Menstrual Health Program Lead, highlighted the ongoing struggle for hygiene products in informal settlements and rural areas, noting their collaboration with women who locally make disposable pads for girls. Musavi explained that many girls they support have faced FGM, teenage pregnancy, and early marriage, and they are helped to return to school through small grants and support.
Lydia Achieng, an adolescent mentor and member of the UNFPA Youth Advisory Panel, underscored the importance of mentorship and leadership development. She noted that girls are now taking initiative in schools, communities, and even national forums through programmes like She Creates Change.
Kelvin Ouma, a male champion with Polycom Girls, added that gender equality requires partnership, emphasizing that men and boys must collaborate with girls to create safe, equitable spaces for all. Chris Musonya, a patron representing Polycom Girls in schools, reaffirmed their commitment to holistic support for girls through initiatives like Talking Boxes, which allow girls to confidentially report issues affecting them.
According to UNICEF, globally, over 129 million girls are out of school, with Kenya facing persistent challenges that threaten girls' education and wellbeing. In Homa Bay County, about 33 per cent of girls aged 15-19 are either mothers or expectant, nearly twice the national average of 18 per cent. In Kibera, girls in informal settlements are more likely to drop out of school due to poverty and social pressures.
These realities underscore the necessity of empowering girls through programmes like She Creates Change, which play a vital role in bridging educational and gender gaps, fostering leadership, and ensuring no girl is left behind. As the world marks three decades since the Beijing Declaration, the link between education and gender equality remains central to sustainable development. Educated girls gain confidence, agency, and economic independence, breaking cycles of poverty and inequality and leading to thriving communities.