A meeting for parliamentarians to deliberate on how to end teenage pregnancy in Kenya was convened on 27th February 2020 at Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi by National Council of Population and Development with support from UNESCO, UNFPA and SRHRA.
The meeting attended by seven members of parliament and several parliamentary clerks, government representatives, UNESCO, UNFPA, civil society and the media aimed securing political leadership in response to teenage pregnancy, which is still a major issue in the country. During the meeting, presentations were made on the status of teenage pregnancy in the country. Highlights were also given on UNESCO’s technical support towards ending teenage pregnancy in the country and the region. In his remarks on behalf of the UN agencies, the UNFPA Deputy Representative Dr. Eziz Hellenov affirmed the agencies commitments towards gender equality through ending teenage pregnancy.
The parliamentarians through the plenary session called for practical interventions that addresses the root causes of teenage pregnancy. ‘’ we need to explore how rape cases are contributing to teenage pregnancy, we should not turn our eyes blind as young girls continue to be violated by people meant to protect them’ asserted Senator Ledama of Narok County. Members of parliament also called upon parents to take up responsibilities of nurturing children. Prof Kamar, Senator Uasin Gishu County noted that there is need to provide psycho-social support for teen mothers for them to cope with their situation. She noted that this has informed the 2019 draft care and protective bill in parliament and the draft reproductive health bill. The members of parliament also called for concerted efforts by Ministries of Health and Education since there are no shortages of policies in Kenya, what lacks is the implementation
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