On June 19, 2025, KELIN joined stakeholders comprising of civil society organizations (CSOs) and government representatives for a workshop on improving outcomes for adolescent mothers in informal settlements. The workshop was convened by the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) to reflect on the support offered to adolescent girls following pregnancy.
APHRC introduced a study set to be undertaken in Makadara Subcounty, Nairobi County amongst adolescent mothers. The study is centred on three key interventions: conditional cash transfers, subsidised childcare, and biweekly mothers’ clubs. The interventions’ theory of change supports discrete, near-term socioeconomic outcomes; medium-term mental health, risk reduction, and child outcomes; and long-term wellness for the mother and child. The effectiveness of the interventions will be measured against the adolescent mothers’ re-entry into school and vocational training, focusing on issues of long-term empowerment for young mothers.
During a panel discussion, Dr. Jacqueline Kisia, the Director of Sexual Reproductive Health at the Ministry of Health, Kenya, emphasized on the need for civil society organizations to work hand in hand with the MOH to prevent teenage pregnancies and in supporting adolescent mothers. She noted that while the Ministry of Health had developed age-appropriate resources, such as a booklet titled ‘‘Understanding Adolescence,” it has been difficult to obtain the buy-in of the Ministry of Education towards dissemination within schools.
KELIN welcomes and supports APHRC’s research towards integrating comprehensive sexuality education to ensure increased access to sexual and reproductive health information, services and commodities for adolescents and young persons to address teenage pregnancies, HIV and STIs amongst adolescents, and defilement. KELIN calls upon the government of Kenya through its Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education to ensure that the adolescent mothers can continue with their education and receive the necessary support that promotes their sexual and reproductive health.
To contribute to the discussions on this forum, follow KELIN on our website and social media platforms.
Website: www.kelinkenya.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya
Twitter(X): @KELINKenya.
For more information please contact, Elsie Milimu,
Program Officer- SRHR, Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV/AIDS(KELIN),
Email: elsiemilimu@kelinkenya.org
