By Caroline Katana
The State Department for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports has urged the youth to embrace government opportunities to boost their lives and positively contribute to development.
Speaking in an interview with the Network for Adolescent Youth of Africa (NAYA) beneficiaries in Maweni village in Matuga Kwale county director for youth affairs, the creative economy, and sports Kent Simiyu said there are many government empowerment programs and opportunities for youth that, if properly utilized, can lead to self–employment and improved livelihoods.
“I engaged with the SHE LEADS project beneficiaries through NAYA since 2022 and I have been sensitizing them on government opportunities available that can make them earn money easily by starting small businesses, thereby reducing early pregnancies and marriages,” Said Simiyu.
The main objective of the SHE LEADS project was to break the silence against gender violence encountered in society.
Kwale County Youth Affairs director, Kent SimiyuÂ
“In partnership with NAYA we strengthened the ability of these groups through leadership and assisting them to register their groups to enable them to work with different organizations and to run sustainable projects like starting small businesses, soccer, and theatre arts because we also want to develop their talents,” said Simiyu.
Simiyu noted that youth failing to engage in meaningful programs remains a big challenge.
“There is a lot of fear among youth when it comes to matters concerning themselves, they think they have less power to influence things that are going on in their lives, but I’m grateful for NAYA through the She leads project for empowering them on advocacy, leadership, gender rights, and economic activities,” added Simiyu.
Simiyu said that as the SHE LEADS project comes to an end this year, his office is open and ready to guide and support girls and young women to achieve their dreams.
Over six hundred girls and young women in Kwale County benefited from the SHE LEADS project implemented by the NAYA.
The project commenced in 2021 and works with groups of girls from three sub-counties of Matuga, Msambweni, and Lungalunga, to build their capacity to understand their rights, fight for leadership positions, and speak for the voiceless.
Kwale county SHE LEADS beneficiaries
Mwanahamisi Athman, a SHE LEADS beneficiary from the Matuga sub-county applauded the project for creating a safe space for girls and young mothers.
“Before the project, cases of school dropout among girls were at a high rate due to early marriages and pregnancies because many girls at the grassroots level failed to understand their rights and values, but after getting empowerment from NAYA we commenced the initiative of sensitizing other girls in the society on dangers of early marriages and pregnancies,” she said.
Mwanahamisi said that she plans to witness zero gender-based violence among girls and young women in Matuga.
She added that the project changed their lifestyle and upheld their dignity.
Sikudhani Alphonce of Muungano youth group, also a SHE LEADS leader in Matuga sub-county, confirmed the project to be an eye opener for achieving her life goals.
“The project seized the harmful culture and traditions in the society, and the empowerment forums changed me positively, I can now stand and fight for the rights of my fellow girls, participate in public participation, engage in decision-making in my family,” said Sikudhani.
Sikudhani noted that as the project comes to an end, they have developed a multi-stakeholder approach to ensure the sustainability of the SHE LEADS project.
Matuga sub-county SHE LEADS leader, Sikudhani AlphonceÂ
“We will continue with advocacy to end violence in the society, we have engaged different stakeholders and they assured us to give us support to create a safe space for girls in the society,” said Sikudhani.
She said that her takeaway from the SHE LEADS project is the aspect of economic empowerment, leadership skills, and advocacy.
On her part, Mwanahalima Mohamed from Mbuguni village, also a beneficiary of the project, said she will always remember the NAYA organization for making her understand that no challenge is permanent in life.
“I encountered a lot of challenges before the SHE LEADS project, after engaging with SHE LEADS empowerment forums, I realized that everything is possible and every challenge has a solution if well addressed, and when you get support utilize it well,” said Mwanahalima.
SHE LEADS beneficiary from Mbuguni, Mwanahalima Mohammed
The SHE LEADS beneficiaries in Matuga sub-county through the “Nipo Nisikike” movement are now calling upon the SHE LEADS donors to allocate more funds for the continuity of the project to benefit more girls and young women.
A community activist in Matuga sub-county Mwinyihaji Ali Tenga applauded NAYA for freeing the girls and young mothers from the scourge of poverty.
“Beneficiaries were economically empowered hence creating job opportunities for other youth unlike before where they lived in darkness in terms of self-employment, I have witnessed some operating businesses, forming groups, and applying for government funds while others are doing smart agriculture and this is something that society is proud of,” said Tenga.
Community activist, Mwinyihaji Ali Tenga
The activist confirmed that before the project, the area witnessed alarming cases of early pregnancies and marriages due to harmful cultures and traditions, calling upon parents to end harmful traditions and culture and ensure the rights of their children are protected as per the constitution.
