There is need for immediate sex education in the informal settlements within the larger Nakuru County if a report released on Thursday is anything to go by.
The report dubbed ‘Effects of becoming sexually active’ by a Naivasha based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has revealed the rot and ignorance by many young people residing in slums and other low-income estates.
The survey done between March and June this year indicates that out of four households in slums, there was a minimum of one if not two teenage pregnancies.
According to Life Bloom International Programme Coordinator Wanjiru Ngige, a majority of young girls are secretly suffering in the informal settlements due to ignorant parents.
Ngige said, “The situation in these slums is sad. How do you expect a 15-year-old girl and below to make independent decisions?"
Many parents are not concerned with their teenage girl’s upkeep leaving the innocent girls to resort to prostitution to survive,” read the report in part.
Other than the harsh life in the slums, this reality check reveals more shocking details that need to be addressed.
“As an organisation, we are going to involve the county government, national government and other development partners to initiate a drive that will at list see an end to this,” Ngige said.
She further advised parents not to abscond duty arguing that if at all they could be always available to offer advice, their children would be in a better position to make more reasonable decisions.
“Giving birth at an early age is not the end of life. An understanding and supportive parent can see this child get back to school and achieve her dreams,” she advised.