- A five-year programme launches in Kwale to protect children from abuse, exploitation and forced marriages.
- About 20 schools in Msambweni and Matuga will participate before expansion to other county areas.
- Partners will strengthen reporting systems, support survivors and equip learners with knowledge of their rights.
A five-year child protection programme has been launched in Kwale to tackle teenage pregnancies, forced marriages and other forms of abuse that threaten children’s safety and education.
The initiative, known as Tulinde Mtoto, will start in about 20 schools in Msambweni and Matuga sub-counties before being extended to other areas of the county.
The programme is being undertaken by the International Centre for Reproductive Health-Kenya (ICRHK) in collaboration with the Kwale County Government and other partners.
ICRHK Head of Reproductive, Maternal and Newborn Health Programme Dr Charles Otwori said the intervention would focus on ensuring children are protected from abuse, exploitation and harmful practices.
He said the programme would strengthen existing child protection structures, equip learners and communities with information on children’s rights and connect those facing difficulties with relevant support services.
“In this project, we have put affirmative measures in place to protect children, create awareness among them and sensitise the community on the need to safeguard and uphold their rights,” he said.
Otwori said community participation would be essential in tackling the underlying social and economic conditions that make children vulnerable to teenage pregnancy, early marriage and abuse.
He said the programme would bring together schools, health facilities, community groups and child protection agencies to improve the identification and handling of cases involving children.
Helping girls remain in school
Kwale Director of Youth, Talent Management and Social Services Samson Nyawa said teenage pregnancy and forced marriages were denying many children, especially girls, an opportunity to complete their education and secure a better future.
He called for stronger cooperation between parents, schools, communities, government institutions and organisations working to protect children.
Nyawa said girls would also receive sanitary pads under the programme, adding that menstrual hygiene challenges can affect their participation in school and increase their vulnerability to exploitation.
“We have high hopes that our children will get opportunities and be protected from people with ill motives,” he said.
Kwale Principal Magistrate Rose Ombata said the programme could improve the handling of defilement and other sexual offences involving children by supporting survivors through counselling and trauma recovery.
She said emotional distress and fear often make it difficult for child survivors to appear in court and give evidence against alleged perpetrators.
“The project will help more witnesses gain the confidence to testify in court, strengthening the prosecution of GBV cases,” she said.
Ombata said the continued prevalence of gender-based violence involving children remained a concern and expressed hope that the intervention would help bring down the number of cases.
Children’s Officer Kennedy Maina, from the national office, said the programme complements government measures aimed at preventing abuse and exploitation of children.
He said child protection agencies were working with community members and other partners to improve systems for identifying cases and responding to the needs of affected children.
Waa Comprehensive Primary School headteacher Amina Said said the initiative would equip learners with knowledge about their rights and encourage them to speak out whenever they face abuse or injustice.
She said teachers and community members would support the programme to ensure children remain safe and have an opportunity to continue with their education.
Student Assembly Governor for the Kwale chapter Emmy Makena welcomed the initiative, saying it would equip schoolchildren with the support and knowledge needed to protect themselves from exploitation and harmful practices.
She said the programme would also help more children seek justice while ensuring those who violate their rights are held accountable.
By Shaban Omar
Reader Discussion (0)
Sign in to comment