This archive report was first published on 30 June 2020.
On June 30, 2020, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta's Beyond Zero initiative joined forces with Maisha Youth, a national youth movement, to promote the welfare of adolescents and young people through a national campaign dubbed 'Squad Culture.'
The campaign, which will be delivered through events and festivals involving the youth using art, music, and dance, aims to promote positive values, economic empowerment, HIV prevention, alcohol and drug abuse, mental health, and sexual gender-based violence.
According to Beyond Zero, the squad culture campaign fits into the organization's current strategic plan, which seeks to utilize partnerships to deliver health programs to adolescents and the youth.
As a lead-up to the campaign launch, the Office of the First Lady, Beyond Zero Secretariat, and Maisha Youth organized a public participation meeting, which identified and prioritized subject areas to be covered by the campaign.
During the virtual meeting, youth leaders emphasized the need for mentorship programs to help build the skills and capacity of young people to participate effectively in national development.
Speaking during the virtual meeting, National Aids Control Council (NACC) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nduku Kilonzo urged the youth to take advantage of online platforms to turn the challenges facing them into opportunities, including accessing health information and services during the COVID-19 period.
