By Sharon Sitati
The current state of gender equality in Kenya exposes persistent gaps across various domains, hindering progress despite significant strides. These disparities are evident in education, economic opportunities, healthcare, and societal norms, affecting women and marginalized communities globally.
Young women and adolescent girls emerge as the most vulnerable group, facing poverty exacerbated by gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful cultural attitudes, as highlighted by a 2021 U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) report.
Alarming statistics reveal a high prevalence of child marriage in Kenya, with 23% of girls marrying before their eighteenth birthday and 4% before the age of fifteen. Boys face this issue at 3% before turning eighteen. The problem varies significantly across regions, with Northern Kenya reporting the highest child marriage rates at 56%. Access to reproductive and maternal healthcare compounds these challenges, limiting timely informed choices, especially for girls under eighteen who need guardians to accompany them to receive services.
Furthermore, the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) report indicates that approximately 24% of women aged fifteen to nineteen have an unmet need for contraceptive methods. They also report that 15% of girls between fifteen and nineteen have ever been pregnant. Investing in CSE is a crucial strategy to address these disparities and pave the way for a society that supports girls to make informed choices about their reproductive health.
Educational disparities persist for girls, marked by early marriage, limited access to quality schooling, and GBV among female genital mutilation, impeding academic pursuits. CSE thus plays a crucial role in dismantling these barriers by providing accurate, age-appropriate information about human sexuality, relationships, and gender roles.
It empowers individuals to make informed decisions, creating a culture of consent and respect, as well as challenging harmful stereotypes. By promoting equality and respect for diverse identities and orientations, CSE ensures no one is discriminated against based on their unique identities.
Furthermore, CSE equips individuals with tools to recognize and combat GBV which contributes to safer communities. CSE acknowledges diverse experiences and identities, fosters an environment where everyone feels seen and heard, and encourages individuals to enjoy their reproductive health rights. Investing in CSE becomes an investment in a more equitable, inclusive, and empowered society, laying the foundation for dismantling gender inequalities at their core.
As we navigate the complex landscape of gender equality, CSE is a powerful catalyst for achieving gender equality. It plays a pivotal role in empowering young people to understand and assert their rights to access quality, affordable, and youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services.
The education provided by CSE fosters a sense of agency, encouraging young people to advocate for affordable and accessible healthcare while working to break down barriers that hinder accessibility. Moreover, by promoting a culture of consent and respect, CSE actively contributes to reducing GBV. It equips young people with the tools to recognize and challenge unhealthy power dynamics, creating an environment where mutual respect is paramount.
CSE not only enhances awareness of rights but also fosters a generation of individuals who can actively participate in shaping policies and practices that ensure the well-being and dignity of all.
With the legalization and integration of CSE into the educational curriculum, it becomes imperative for Kenya to address the multifaceted challenges hindering gender equality. As Kenya strives to build a future where gender disparities are eradicated and move towards the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030, CSE is crucial, offering the tools and understanding needed to shape a more equitable and inclusive society, especially among adolescents and young people.
Sharon Sitati – Sexual and Reproductive Health Advocate
