Nairobi, Kenya — The wellbeing of thousands of girls in Kenya could be at risk with reports of huge numbers of unintended teen pregnancies since the start of COVID-19 lockdown, warns child rights and humanitarian organization Plan International.
Media reports citing data from a government-managed health information system have stated that up to 4,000 adolescent girls may have visited health facilities for antenatal services in the county of Machakos alone between January and May. The figure for the whole country, it is feared, may run into several thousands.
Since containment measures in Kenya were put in place, including closing schools and restricting movement, accessing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information and services has become very challenging for girls and women. This is on top of cultural expectations surrounding abstinence, which already impacted young people’s confidence in seeking sexual and reproductive health services.
Kate Maina-Vorley, Plan International Kenya’s Country Director, said: “It is alarming that so many teenage girls have fallen pregnant during lockdown, which can have lifelong consequences for them. We are extremely concerned about their wellbeing and their access to health care and other support services.”
“Our research shows that the majority of teenage pregnancies are unintended. Even before the crisis, girls and young women in Kenya faced considerable challenges in accessing essential health information and services. Now, amid a pandemic that is straining even the strongest health care systems, there is a real risk that sexual and reproductive health and rights will be deprioritised, with devastating consequences for girls and women.”
According to the WHO, complications relating to pregnancy and childbirth are already the leading cause of death for girls aged 15-19 globally. Pregnant girls and young mothers face even greater risks in crises such as the ongoing pandemic.
Evidence from past epidemics indicates that resources are often diverted from routine health services, which further reduces access to sexual and reproductive health services, as well as maternal, new-born and child health services.
“What we are looking at is an extremely serious and widespread health and social emergency for girls which will have long-term implications for their futures,” said Ms Maina-Vorley.
According to a research conducted by Plan International last year across nine counties in Kenya, unintended or unwanted teenage pregnancy was a huge issue for girls, significantly impacting their lives. The research found:
— 98% of pregnant girls were not in school, and 59% of the pregnancies among girls aged 15-19 years were unintended.
— 45% of severe abortion complications were also reported among adolescent girls.
— Sexual violence is believed to affect about one-third of girls and one-sixth of boys under 18, but most do not discuss their experiences or receive assistance.
— More than half (54%) of sexually active adolescent girls in Kenya did not intend to get pregnant and have an unmet need for modern contraception.
“As the government continues to ensure the spread of COVID-19 is minimized, it is important that we mitigate the gendered fall-out for the pandemic that is affecting children and in particular adolescent girls in Kenya,” said Ms Maina-Vorley.
“There are reports that incidences of gender-based violence, rates of child marriage, female genital mutilation and teenage pregnancy are rising.
“It is vital that the government ensures that restrictions on movement don’t limit access to sexual and reproductive health information and services, protection and psychological support services. Government and health care partners should consider age-responsive positive sexuality education in online and distant learning packages and continue to sensitize and encourage communities to embrace sexual and reproductive health-seeking behaviors. We must ensure that girls and women can leave home and access services in person or via tele-health.”
Plan International is calling for governments to prioritize and fully fund SRHR as part of their Covid-19 response plans, recognizing the essential and life-saving nature of these services. Plan International also calls on governments and the private sector to embrace new ways of providing sexual and reproductive health information and services, including through social media, tele-health, radio and distance learning and to mitigate the impact of any disruption in supply chains for contraceptives and essential HIV medicines.
The organization is raising funds to protect some of the world’s most vulnerable children and their communities from the impacts of COVID-19. Plan International’s response, covering more than 50 countries, is focused on assisting children - particularly girls, who are disproportionately affected by the crisis.
Notes for Editors:
The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2014 established that about 1 in 5 girls in school get pregnant by the age of 20 and the national teenage pregnancy prevalence rate is 18%.
There are considerable barriers which hinder access to and use of health services, including limited integration of services, weak coordination, monitoring and weak supply chain management. Stigma around young people having sex, and encouragement of abstinence, also discourages young people from seeking sexual and reproductive health services.
The Government of Kenya is committed to universal health coverage (UHC) and accelerated achievement of the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) outcomes. While significant gains in ensuring relevant SRHR policies, guidelines and frameworks are in place to contribute to improved adolescent health outcomes many challenges still remain in coverage and disparities continue to exist in service delivery.
Plan International has been supporting capacity building for sexual reproductive health providers in government facilities to offer Youth Friendly Services across nine counties. There is a need for Youth Friendly Services to be implemented in all counties across Kenya.
Donate to Plan International’s COVID-19 appeal and find out more about our response here.
To request an interview or more information, please contact:
Bernice Morquette
About Plan International USA
Powered by supporters, Plan International USA partners with adolescent girls, young women and children around the world to overcome oppression and gender inequality, providing the support and resources that are unique to their needs and the needs of their communities, ensuring they achieve their full potential with dignity, opportunity and safety. Founded in 1937, Plan is an independent development and humanitarian organization that is active in more than 80 countries.
