This archive report was first published on 30 October 2019.
Published on October 30, 2019, by Dorothy Kweyu, a concerned mother and Kenyan citizen, raises questions about the mass vaccination of girls against human papillomavirus (HPV) in Kenya.
The vaccination drive has sparked debate, with some arguing that it's a necessary measure to protect girls from cervical cancer. However, Kweyu questions the rationale behind targeting minors, who are not yet capable of giving consent for sexual activities.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), cervical cancer is the second-most frequent cancer among women in Kenya, with 5,250 women diagnosed yearly and 3,286 succumbing to the disease.
But Kweyu argues that subjecting minors to the vaccine sends the wrong message, implying that it's acceptable to engage in sexual activities with children as long as they don't contract HPV.
She also criticizes the government for not taking a stronger stance against sex predators, instead relying on vaccination as a solution.
Kweyu references a study that found societies with community sanctions against violence have lower levels of intimate partner and sexual violence. She argues that Kenyan parents and communities should focus on protecting all children from sex predators, rather than just vaccinating girls.
Ultimately, Kweyu believes that the vaccination drive is a symptom of a larger issue – the erosion of traditional values and the adoption of a Western agenda that prioritizes individual freedom over community well-being.
