Education stakeholders in the Central Rift region have raised concerns over the increasing cases of teen pregnancies and early marriages.
The stakeholders, including medics, teachers, and administrative officers, warned that the trend is contributing to an alarming rate of school dropouts.
Led by Sheila Cheruiyot, the stakeholders said the practices are derailing girls’ education and threatening their prospects.
Speaking in Kuresoi North, Nakuru County, Cheruiyot described teen pregnancies and early marriages as retrogressive acts that violate the rights of girls.
“These practices are outdated and regressive. They deny girls their right to education and a better future, and they must be abandoned,” Cheruiyot said.
She noted that the situation in the region is worrying, revealing that more than 100 girls have dropped out of school after getting pregnant, with some reportedly being forced to undergo Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
“Over 100 girls have already dropped out of school due to pregnancy, and it is even more disturbing that some of them are subjected to FGM,” she observed.
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Cheruiyot, a high school teacher in the region, called for joint efforts from parents, teachers, community leaders and government agencies to protect girls and keep them in school.
“No girl should drop out of school for whatever reason. Education is a right, and we must work together to safeguard that right,” she said.
As part of efforts to address the problem, the stakeholders launched sensitisation programmes targeting girls, where they were educated on children’s rights, child labour, relationships and drug abuse to help them stay safe.
“Through these programmes, we want girls to understand their rights and make informed decisions that will protect their education and wellbeing,” Cheruiyot added.
Health professionals from the area who attended the event also called for intensified public awareness campaigns on the dangers of harmful cultural practices.
“Some of these outdated practices expose girls to serious health complications. The community must be sensitised on the long-term health and social effects,” said one health practitioner.
The stakeholders urged the community to embrace positive cultural values and prioritise education as a key tool in protecting girls and securing the region’s future.
By Kimutai Langat
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