Stakeholders urged to empower girls to fight against SGBV, HIV infections

There is a need to empower girls with knowledge and skills to enable them to fight against the triple threat – HIV infections, early pregnancies and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), education stakeholders have said.

The Executive Director for Philia Mission Kenya Joseph Otieno said that this will enable them to take care of themselves from dangers within and when out of school.

Speaking at Gatondo Girls Secondary School in Mathira, Nyeri County, during the marking of the International Day of Girl Child on Thursday, Otieno said that empowering girls go a long way in ensuring gender parity and fair distribution of resources.

Philia Mission Kenya executive director Joseph Otieno addresses the media at the event

He cited other issues that hinder girls from pursuing their education as poverty as another hindrance to girls pursuing education as most of them end up dropping out of school when parents are unable to pay school fees.

Otieno assured that the organization is committed to ensure every girl realizes their goals.

Nyeri County Education Board chairman Dr. Wanjohi Githinji said that school girls need extra care especially when going through puberty and require guidance to avoid activities that may lead to being a victim of the triple threat.

Nyeri County Education Board Chairman Dr Wanjohi Githinji plants a tree to mark the International Day of Girl Child.

Githinji, who is also a lecturer at Kenyatta University, added that early pregnancy affects girls’ education as it forces them to quit school.

Further, he decried the declining number of girls in secondary and higher education compared to the high enrolment in preprimary and primary schools.

By Eutycus Muchiri

YOU MAY ALSO READ:

https://educationnews.co.ke/no-amount-of-intimidation-will-block-my-2026-ambitions-kuppet-migori-boss-vows/

You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.

>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories

>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape

>>> Click here to stay ahead with the latest national news.