This archive report was first published on 22 June 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect families worldwide, Peggy Namadi, the Coast Regional Coordinator of Kenya Alliance for Advancement of Children (KAAC), has urged the government to provide sanitary towels to girls from poor urban estates and rural areas.
Speaking to KNA, Namadi expressed concern that parents are currently worried about where to find food for their children, often overlooking the role of reproductive health threatened by the global pandemic.
She attributed the alarming numbers of early pregnancies to a combination of factors, including the closure of schools, which has left children vulnerable to exploitation.
“We have chosen to feed our evil desires and blame it on technology and other situations,” said Namadi, adding that societal morals have decayed.
According to Namadi, adults are taking advantage of children who may be lacking basic needs due to their parents having no income. She reported that some perpetrators are telling children, “sleep with me and I will give you what you need!”
With schools closed, girls are unable to access sanitary towels, which are essential for their health and well-being. The statistics from the Ministry of Health show a high number of pregnancies, with Namadi pointing out that not all of these cases are from urban centers.
Other issues contributing to teenage pregnancies include rising numbers of incest cases, child-to-child sexual encounters, and early marriages, which are a contravention of the law for any girl to be married under the age of 18.
Namadi called on the government and communities to set up counseling centers and do mental health awareness by training parents on how to handle the situation.
Philip Nzenge, the Mombasa Children Officer, confirmed over 15 cases of teenage pregnancies have been reported in Kisauni Sub County alone, with numbers expected to rise steadily.
Naila Abdalla, the CEO of Sisters for Justice, a non-governmental organization based in Kisauni, reported that 900 cases had been reported in the coast region, with only four cases reported in Lamu.
