Global interfaith launch initiative to protect Kilifi girls against early marriage

16-year-old girl who sought refuge at the Kajiado county commissioner's office after running away from a 45-year-old man who had forcibly married her forcing her to abandon school. [Courtesy] An interfaith organisation has pledged to fight harmful social and gender norms in a bold step towards transforming the lives of adolescent girls and young women in Kilifi County. The Faith to Action Network has already announced the start of the construction of an interfaith adolescent girls' health hub project at Pwani University to combat the social ills. One of the leaders, Mr Hassan Kapombe, said while Islamic teachings permitted marriage once a girl has completed traditional rites of passage, it was equally important to uphold national laws. "In Kenya, this includes ensuring that young women are of legal age and possess a national identity card before marriage, reflecting a commitment to religious principles and the protection of girls' rights under the law," he said. The project also marks a significant milestone for Faith to Action Network-a global alliance of over 215 religious organisations from various faiths, including Buddhists, Christians, Confucianists, Hindus and Muslims, spanning 38 countries. The project aims to promote family health, gender justice, and peaceful coexistence and finds local expression through this targeted initiative. Kilifi Deputy Governor, Ms Flora Chibule, emphasised the pivotal role that parents, communities and leaders play in shaping the future of children, particularly young girls. She underlined parents' influence, asserting that they hold the key to guiding and protecting their children's morals and values in the evolving digital age. "As we embrace the advancements in technology, parents must understand that they wear a larger, more significant hat than even the interfaith groups. It is our collective responsibility to nurture and safeguard the moral compass of our children," she said. She noted that early pregnancies continue to affect the educational journey of many young girls in the region. The DG reaffirmed the county's commitment that young girls who become pregnant would not miss out on education. Research conducted by the Faith to Action Network reveals that a large number of girls in Kilifi County never transition from primary to secondary school because of early marriages. Faith to Action chief executive officer Peter Munene said that the research shows that around 17.5 per cent of girls in Kilifi County are the ones that transition from primary to secondary school. That means over 82.5 per cent drop out, never transitioning to secondary school. "When you look at 47.5 per percent of girls between the ages of 13 and 18, child marriage occurs. It's almost like half of the female population in Kilifi gets married at any age," Munene said. The function brought together religious leaders, community influencers, gender advocates, and county officials in a show of unity and purpose, aimed at reshaping cultural narratives in Magarini and Rabai sub-counties. The initiative, designed as a dynamic learning platform, seeks to tackle the deeply entrenched beliefs that fuel teenage pregnancy, limit girls' opportunities, and sustain gender inequality. By leveraging the influence of the pulpit and the power of community dialogue, the project aims to ignite lasting social change from the grassroots. The Interfaith Adolescent Girls' Health Hub Project is anchored in challenging harmful norms by addressing culturally rooted attitudes around gender roles and adolescent sexuality.

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Global interfaith launch initiative to protect Kilifi girls against early marriage

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