Rusinga Island targeted in the fight against teen pregnancies in the fishing community

Efforts to end teen pregnancies in the fishing community are gaining momentum following mentorship programmes carried out by an organisation for adolescents.

The Dream Believe Repeat (DBR) organisation has pitched a tent on Rusing Island in the Suba North constituency.

Rusinga is among the largest islands in Lake Victoria in Homa Bay County. It has 18 beaches where fishing takes place.

Statistics from the Homa Bay Department of Gender and Social Services indicate that one out of four adolescent girls in the county has had a pregnancy or abortion.

This has also put Homa Bay among the counties in Kenya with a high prevalence of teen pregnancy. It stands at 23 per cent.

The triple threat which includes teen pregnancies, new HIV infection and sexual and gender-based violence among adolescents is high in the county.

Most of the triple threat cases occur along the shore of Lake Victoria due to the social life of the residents. Many girls drop out of school due to triple threat.

The organisation undertakes girls’ mentorship programmes in Rusinga Island during half terms and holidays to salvage their education.

On Sunday, the organisation’s programmes manager Farida Abdul and Homa Bay executive for Gender & Social Services Sarah Malit and the department director Evelyn Ododa said they are working together to end the triple threat.

Many girls who are at the adolescent stage on the island are at risk of dropping out of school due to triple threat.

The sensitisation sessions they undertake for the girls through include refraining from early sex, concentrating on their studies and exploiting their talents.

“The objective is to nurture the girls and inspire them to pursue their education for a better future. We urge girls who have fallen victims of triple threat to remain courageous and get back to school,” Abdul said.

Speaking during the conclusion of a girls’ summit on the island, Farida said talent development is their priority too. The girls are also given sanitary pads to prevent them from being lured into sex.

“Lack of sanitary pads had made many girls fall victim to defilement. Provision of sanitary pads cushions the girls from sex pests,” she said.

Malit and Kamasengre West Assistant Chief Meshack Wachianga said the triple threat is a serious problem and requires concerted efforts.

Homa Bay government is also engaging boys in the campaigns.

Malit said they are collaborating with both governmental and non-governmental organisations to fight the triple threat.

“The fact that one out of four children in Homa Bay has had a pregnancy or aborted means the triple threat is a serious problem. We are applying a multi-sectorial approach to fight it,” Malit said.

Ododa urged girls to take advantage of the programmes to realize their education.

“Let our girls make good use of the support you get from such organisations to build their future,” Ododa said.

Wachianga said they are on the lookout to ensure that kangaroo courts do not impede the fight against the triple threat in the area.

“My office is collaborating with police to ensure anybody who defiles girls is taken to court,” Wachianga said.