In Kenya, one in five girls between the age of
15 to 19 years is either pregnant or has begun child bearing. Young girls in
this age group account for almost 70% of all the pregnancies here in Kenya and
most of these pregnancies are usually unintended forcing these girls to seek
abortion services which are normally unsafe and dangerous for their health. It
is estimated that 45% of women who have serious complications after procuring
unsafe abortion services are young girls between the ages of 15 to 19 years.
Research has shown that girls living in urban
slums and rural areas are at significant risk of early and unintended
pregnancies. They are among the forgotten and marginalized population in this
country. Limited access to sexual and reproductive health services and
information is the major barrier to contraceptive use by adolescent girls in
these areas.