Adolescents in Kenya stand at a critical crossroads, facing what has been aptly termed the “triple threat”: new HIV infections, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and teenage pregnancies. Each of these challenges alone poses a significant barrier to the health, safety, and potential of young people. Together, their intersection creates a dangerous web of vulnerabilities that threaten to derail an entire generation.
At the heart of this crisis lies the societal discomfort in addressing adolescent sexuality, compounded by deeply ingrained religious and cultural norms. These norms often withhold critical resources like comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and life skills training, leaving adolescents—especially girls—ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of their development. Girls are disproportionately burdened with the responsibility to prevent pregnancy, yet they are denied the information and support they need to make informed choices.
A county in crisis: The gripping reality of the triple threat
In Homa Bay County, located along the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya, the issues of adolescent sexuality are shrouded in silence and taboo. Cultural taboos around openly discussing sexual health often hinder efforts to address issues like HIV, teenage pregnancies, and gender-based violence, perpetuating the triple threat in the region. Additionally, the “fish-for-sex” practice, where women exchange sexual favors for access to fish from male traders, exacerbates vulnerabilities, fueling the spread of HIV and deepening gender inequalities. Families avoid discussions about sexual health, leaving adolescents uninformed and ill-equipped to navigate the challenges of their formative years. This vacuum of information has dire consequences. Adolescents, especially girls, often fall victim to coercive sexual encounters—encounters that are not only exploitative but constitute sexual and gender-based violence.
When these acts of coercion result in unintended pregnancies, the societal response is devastatingly predictable: forced marriages, framed as a means to preserve “family honor.” These unions, far from providing stability, condemn young girls to a lifetime of abuse, indignity, and poverty. Married off at a young age, they are expected to navigate adulthood without the tools or support to succeed, perpetuating a cycle of violence and despair.
The intersectionality of these challenges becomes even more acute when considering the alarming rates of new HIV infections. Homa Bay ranks among the top three counties in Kenya for adolescent HIV infections—a grim testament to the risks faced by young people. Coercive sexual encounters, compounded by the lack of comprehensive sexuality education and life skills training, leave adolescents highly vulnerable to contracting HIV. Without open conversations about prevention and the power dynamics that fuel such encounters, the rates of infection continue to rise.
This trifecta of challenges has devastating implications for the next generation of girls in Homa Bay County. It is a crisis that calls for urgent, collective action.
Here’s what Ipas is doing
Recognizing the power of community-led change, we aimed to spark open, judgment-free dialogue about adolescent sexuality and early marriage. Ipas Africa Alliance and local partners organized a series of dialogues to promote inclusivity among stakeholders, build trust, foster intervention ownership and ensure that diverse voices are heard. The goal was to shift harmful norms, reduce stigma, and co-create sustainable solutions that prioritize the safety and well-being of young girls.
“
I never thought I would have open conversations with my daughters about these issues. But now, through the Ipas training programs, I understand that my role as a father and an elder goes beyond providing—it’s about guiding, protecting, and ensuring our children and community grow up with the right information.”
— Nyada Ralek Elder
Result: The dialogues fostered unprecedented openness and collaboration. Within six months:
- Community elders in three villages took up their role as the custodians of cultural practices to speak up against retrogressive cultural practices that contribute to teenage pregnancies. They promoted open discussions on sex and sexuality between parents and teenagers and pushed for justice for victims of SGBV by holding perpetrators accountable. This has empowered girls to seek guidance and ask questions without fear of judgment.
- Religious leaders began incorporating messages about protecting adolescents and promoting gender equality into their sermons. They advocated for SRHR by collaborating with community-based organizations to facilitate church dialogues. They now encourage parents to build trust with their teenage daughters to reduce risky sexual behavior, resulting in girls feeling more confident and open with their parents.
- Beach Management Unit (BMU) champions actively spoke out against teenage pregnancies within the fishing communities. BMU is a government unit managed by the locals in the community and oversees beach activities. They advocated for access to SRHR information and services, challenging harmful practices like the “sex for fish” exploitation of young girls. Through their efforts, girls became more aware of their rights and where to access essential SRHR services within the beach community.
- Bodaboda (motorcycle) operators have taken proactive steps to protect adolescent girls from sexual exploitation and abuse. They initiated conversations with their clients, including teenagers, about identifying and safeguarding against potential perpetrators. To ensure consistency, they established an accountability system to incorporate these discussions during rides.
This community-driven approach is proof that change begins with conversation.
