Dr Susan Gitau, a counsellor during 'Teen Moms Initiative Forum' held in Thika town last weekend. [Photo: Facebook]An event dubbed 'Teen Moms Initiative forum' was held on Saturday with an aim of bringing teen mothers in Thika's informal settlements together to share their experiences.The event held at Africana College of Professional Counselling and organized by Susan Gitau Counselling Foundation (SGCF) brought together close to 100 teenage mothers aged between 15-20 years from areas like Matharau, Goshen, Kiandutu and Gacagi slums.Majority of the participants cited pregnancy as the main reason why they left school at an early age, and despite there being a policy that allows young mothers to return to school, many said they were unable to make it back.According to Dr Susan Gitau, a renowned counsellor, school re-entry by parenting girls is viewed as more acceptable than school continuation by pregnant learners. She, therefore, urged the relevant stakeholders in the vigilant in monitoring school re-entry of teen mothers. "A lot of advocacy needs to be carried out in making sure that teenage mothers, their parents and communities are aware of the rights of teenmothers to return to school," said Gitau.She added: "It pains me as a counsellor and a mother to see a lot of these teens being subjected to ridicule and shame because they got pregnant in their teens. I hope that those charged with looking into their welfare will see to it that they have at least gotten back to school."Gitau noted that it was high time both the county and national governments set up vocational training centres around the affected areas saying it will go a long way in instilling confidence and hope to 'these teen mums'.

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