This archive report was first published on 24 June 2020.
On June 22, 2020, Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino launched a girl child mentorship programme at Alara Secondary School to address the alarming rate of teenage pregnancies in the constituency.
A report by the department of children in Homa Bay County revealed that between July and May 2020, Ndhiwa recorded 518 cases of child rights violations, including teenage pregnancies.
According to the report, the high number of cases has prompted the MP to start a mentorship programme aimed at sensitizing girls from all seven wards in his constituency on the dangers of early pregnancies.
The programme targets girls in primary and secondary schools, teaching them how to overcome challenges that predispose them to pregnancies.
Selected girls will register their peers from their villages, and with parental permission, attend sensitization workshops and counseling at Kobodo trading centre.
During the workshops, the girls will learn about matters of sexuality and the perils of premature sex.
MP Owino expressed concerns over the high rate of teenage pregnancies in his constituency since schools were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He emphasized the need for more interventions to save young girls from premature motherhood and challenged parents to discuss matters of sexuality with their children at home.
Co-ordinator of the programme Jecinter Odhiambo expressed optimism that the programme will transform girls' lives, saying, 'I believe this is the only way to cushion our young girls from pregnancies.'
