FAWE to launch programme against teenage pregnancies and marriages

By Mutuvi Janet

Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) in partnership with county governments, education stakeholders, civil society organizations, security teams and health departments launch an initiative dubbed ‘Imarisha Msichana programme’ in Bungoma county.

The main aim of the programme is to address and curb teenage pregnancies and early marriages.

Programmes Coordinator, Joan Ireri said that the programme will engage all actors in the education sector to ensure school-going girls enjoy uninterrupted access to education.

“This programme targets other regions such as Busia, Nairobi, Samburu, Kakamega, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nakuru and Meru that have recorded high numbers of teenage pregnancies,” Ireri said.

She noted that the programme will also work with learning institutions where guiding and counseling clubs will be started to help in addressing the challenge.

According to Ireri, she attributed poverty, incest and teenagers engaging in transactional sex for sanitary pads to have increased the number of cases.

The Director of Administration in the Education Department and Vocational Training, Everlyne Wekesa lionized FAWE for deciding to come up with the programme.

She affirmed that the programme aims to ensure that the girl child’s future is well taken care of.

“However, let’s not only concentrate on the girl child but also support a boy child.” She concluded.