Protect our little girls from early pregnancy

Teenage pregnancies in Homa Bay County have reached alarming levels. But while a survey conducted by the Population Council in Homa Bay County indicates 80 per cent of teenage pregnancies occur in primary school, this could be a pointer to what happens in other counties that have not been surveyed.

When girls aged between 13 and 19 years drop out of school because of pregnancies and early marriages, society must re-examine itself.

This denotes a lack of morals, a breakdown in societal values and the delicate situation the girl child finds herself in despite efforts to protect her against sexual predators who are often adult men.

It would seem affirmative action has not permeated all corners of the country and more needs to be done to make children safe and give them a chance to secure a brighter future through the acquisition of an education.

In recognition of this, two MPs in Homa Bay are pushing for an allocation of at least 30 per cent of the Constituency Development Fund to finance the girl child education. This is laudable, but the boy child should not be left out. The value of education cannot be gainsaid.