State targets boys and men in fight triple threat

The government has unveiled a new initiative to fight against HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancies, and sexual and gender-based violence.

It is considered a key challenge destroying the lives of young people who should be productive in the future.

National Syndemic Diseases Control Council CEO Ruth Masha and Governor Gladys Wanga said the new strategy targets to prevent early sex.

“We are now coming up with a new strategy in which we involve men and boys by sensitizing them so that they understand the sense of avoiding sexual intercourse with girls,” Masha said.

She added, "What we are saying is that we must end triple threat. We are working with various governmental and non-governmental agencies in fighting the menace. Let us avoid sexual and gender-based violence to protect lives of our children.”

It will be supported both levels of government.

 “Triple threat is destroying lives of many girls. We cannot have future female leaders if we don’t end it,” sais Governor Wanga.

Statistics from the Ministry of Health indicate that 254,753 girls aged between 10-19 years became pregnant last year. This was a decline of 5, 981 from 260,734 girls who conceived in 2022.

The same data indicate that 20,143 children aged between 10-17 years experienced sexual and gender-based violence last year. This was a decline of 1,314 from 21,457 children who were abused in 2022.

The fight against triple threat is supported by the UNAIDS and all the UN agencies in Kenya besides other non-governmental organizations.