For a dose of inspiration during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, we share how a group of young people championed reproductive rights in their region, shaping a better future.
When it comes to tackling sexual and gender-based violence, Kenya’s local governments pass their own laws. Kwale County is one local area taking action, with its young people stepping up to lead the way.
In Kwale County, incidence of physical violence is at 13% and sexual violence is at 4%, and these figures only represent reported cases. Violence against women and girls is all too normalised, and the impact on their lives runs deep.
Change is needed, and Kenya’s young people are determined to change the status quo. MSI has partnered with DSW Kenya through the Youth for Health project to give the young people of Kwale a platform through which they can advocate for themselves and their community. All together, we are united in the fight for stronger protection, better support services, and access to justice for survivors.
With these youth champions stepping up to advocate for their own sexual and reproductive rights, they’ve played a pivotal role in the enactment of the new Kwale County Sexual and Gender-based Violence Prevention and Protection Act.
Youth champions holding the government to account
Our Youth for Health partner, DSW Kenya, trained 15 youth champions from Kwale County. These young people learned and improved their advocacy skills, policy analysis, decision-making, communication, and other skills to help them influence government and policy. After the training, they started educating other community members, and raising awareness about the Act.
Norah, one of the youth champions, explained why she felt her role was so important:
“Kwale has had all these issues, such as young women dropping out of school due to early pregnancies, not participating in any form of leadership, and being confined to their homes with no one to advocate for them.”
To advocate for themselves and their peers, the youth champions went to public forums and used their newly gained skills to engage with policymakers. Government officials who were also involved told us that the Act would not have been passed if not for the advocacy of these young people.
Ngome Mwamtenda, from the Department of Social Services and Gender in Kwale said:
“Before, we were relying on the legal framework from the national government but due to the outcry of youth this year, we took steps to implement our own laws at the county level. The future is bright.”
Hon. Rachael Katumbi, of the Kwale County Assembly, added:
“They really encourage me because they keep you on your toes to work harder, and to push for these things to happen. They know what they want and they are really going for it.”
Youth champions change lives in Kwale County
The implementation of this new Act will help protect survivors of sexual and gender-based violence with new policies, as well as ‘rescue and recovery’ centres.
It means survivors will finally have greater access to the medical, security, legal, and psychological services that they need and deserve.
The involvement of the community’s young people will have a great impact in the future, as another youth champion, Gladys, made clear:
“We say nothing for us, without us. This has given me a role as a leader.”
We will continue to work with the youth champions to ensure the Act is implemented, ensuring they have a seat at the table.
Young people know what they want, what they have a right to, and once they are given the space to advocate for it, they fight for a better future for us all.
Hear directly from youth champion Gladys in this short video:
