'Cycling for a course': Kilifi youths promote girls' sexual, reproductive health
The aim is to supply sanitary towels and bicycles to girls in Kilifi and other counties to prevent them from seeking favours from boda-boda operators who end up impregnating them.
A group of seven youths in Kilifi County has saved at least 100 girls via a campaign to fight teen pregnancy, teach women's sexual and reproductive health, and advocate for their rights through cycling.
The initiative dubbed 'Cycling for a Course' is aimed at supplying sanitary towels and bicycles to girls in the most remote villages of Kilifi and other counties in the Coastal region to prevent them from seeking favours from boda-boda operators who end up impregnating them.
Speaking to The Eastleigh Voice on Tuesday, Programme Manager Esther Mali said they launched the initiative last June to help address the plight of teenage girls who get impregnated for a lack of basic needs such as sanitary towels and transport.
The sanitary towel initiative called 'Drop a pad with a bike' has seen the group members use bicycles to distribute the products.
Boys attend an SGBV sensitisation session by members of the 'Cycling for a Course' initiative at Bomani in Kilifi County on March 9, 2024. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)
Of the 100 girls the group of six men and one woman has rescued so far, 10 are young mothers.
Members also sensitise girls on their rights and how to report abuses against them.
"Most girls walk for long distances to schools, shops, and even water sources, so we decided to bring in stakeholders who supply us with bicycles and sanitary towels. The bicycles allow the girls to move around without getting lifts from boda-boda riders," Mali explained.
The group targets Bomani, Kireme, Kolewa, Chodari, Vipingo, and Gongoni.
"We help reintegrate young mothers back into society. Teenage pregnancy is surrounded by a lot of stigma in this region. Many young girls, after giving birth, shy away from going back to school, so we help them return and continue their studies. Those who do not want to go back get a skill to earn an income," Mali said.
She added that they also help young mothers form self-help groups, popularly known as chamas, that allow them to open savings accounts and register for the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
"You find that after getting pregnant, the men who impregnated them refuse to take responsibility, so we advise them to get the NHIF card to take care of their children's health," she said.
Mali said they also teach young girls about reproductive health and the importance of family planning.
"Most of these girls have no knowledge of family planning, so we teach them the different family planning methods to avoid unwanted pregnancies," she said.
A file picture of 'Cycling for a Course' Director Collins Wekesa giving a sex education address to students of Ziwani Primary School in Kwale County. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)
Initiative Director Collins Wekesa said they were open to more partnerships.
"We need more sanitary towels as most families in this region are grappling with poverty. Girls are forced to use rugs, old mattresses, and boxes during menstruation, so going to school during this time is hard for them," he said.
"Some are forced to drop out of school and enter into sexual relationships with boda-boda riders to get these basic needs."
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