Homa Bay County steps up efforts to fight teenage pregnancies

Homa Bay Woman rep Joyce Osogo and Governor Gladys Wanga during Mama County Says Education Programme at Mirogi Boys Secondary School in Ndhiwa Sub-county. [James Omoro, Standard]

Leaders in Homa Bay County have put joint efforts in the fight against teen pregnancies amid efforts to keep girls in schools.

According to the latest Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, teen pregnancies stand at 23.2 per cent in the county. This is much higher compared to the national prevalence which is 14.8 per cent.

In an effort to combat the vice, Governor Gladys Wanga and Woman rep Joyce Osogo have agreed to join efforts in the fight.

This involves empowering school girls with information on the danger associated with defilement.

The leaders also liaise with law enforcement agencies to ensure people who violate the sexual rights of girls are apprehended.

This was revealed during a school girls' empowerment programme dubbed 'Mama County Back to School' organized by Osogo's office.

The event held at Mirogi Boys High School brought together girls from various schools from all the eight constituencies.

Wanga said the fight against teen pregnancies requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders in the county.

The governor said she will not entertain anybody who violates the sexual rights of minors in the county.

According to her, the young girls should be given the requisite protection to enable them to acquire education. She said it is through education that many girls in the county will become leaders in the future.

Girls from various schools within Homa Bay County being sensitized during Mama County Says Education Programme at Mirogi Boys Secondary School in Ndhiwa Sub-county. [James Omoro, Standard]

"Let us protect our girls from people who want to ruin their lives. As one of the current leaders, we are headed for retirement and the people who will take over from us are these girls. Ruining their lives today means we will not have future female leaders," Wanga said.

She told girls to be focused on their education to avoid being hoodwinked into premature sex.

"I want our girls to stand firm against those who want to defile them. Let them focus on their books," Wanga said.

Dr Osogo said they are committed to ensuring girls who dropped out of school due to teen pregnancies return to school.

She said the objective of the programme is to ensure girls are retained in schools.

"We want every girl to acquire an education. That is why we are supporting teen mothers to return to school," Osogo said.

The outgoing Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi urged girls and boys in schools to be determined and embrace the spirit of excellence as they pursue their studies.