BY AGNETTA OKWEMBA
Kilifi County has unveiled the Interfaith Adolescent Girls’ Health Hub Project aimed at tackling teenage pregnancy and early marriages.
The initiative, led by Faith to Action Network in partnership with the County Government, seeks to mobilize faith leaders across all denominations to confront harmful social and gender norms.
According to county data, nearly 47% of schoolgirls in Kilifi fall under the category of child marriages, a crisis the new project hopes to reverse.
The project will focus on Magarini and Rabai sub-counties, areas hardest hit by early pregnancies and their damaging socio-economic impacts on young girls and families.
Kilifi Deputy Governor Flora Mbetsa Chibule said the initiative aligns with the county’s priorities for adolescent health and gender equity, calling it a critical step toward securing the future of young girls.
“This initiative is a bold step toward ending the cycle of teen pregnancies and early marriages. It reflects our commitment to safeguarding the rights, health, and future of every girl in Kilifi County,” she said.
Chibule emphasized the crucial role of faith leaders in addressing the rising cases of teenage pregnancies and early marriages in the county.
She noted that religious leaders command great respect in communities and are uniquely positioned to influence attitudes and challenge harmful cultural norms.
The Deputy Governor urged religious leaders to take a firm stand against practices that undermine the health and future of adolescent girls, adding that silence on such matters only perpetuates the crisis.
“As moral custodians, religious leaders have a responsibility to protect, uplift, and empower the community, especially vulnerable girls who are often silenced and sidelined,” she added.
Kilifi Deputy Governor Flora Chibule, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Gender Ruth Dama Masha and religious leaders sign off the Interfaith Adolescent Girls’ Health Hub Project at Pwani University in Kilifi County in May 2025.
Chibule further called for united action across all sectors, stressing that ending teen pregnancies and early marriages requires a multi-faceted approach rooted in both faith and evidence-based strategies.
However, Chibule commended the strides made by the Kilifi Government in curbing teen pregnancies, early marriages, and school dropouts.
She highlighted the county’s commitment to protecting girls through the development and enforcement of strong policies aimed at preventing gender-based violence and harmful cultural practices.
“The county has taken deliberate steps to safeguard our girls by putting in place firm policies and legal frameworks. We are creating safe spaces where survivors can speak out, access support, and begin the journey to healing and empowerment,” she said.
Chibule added that the county continues to invest in programs that promote education, reproductive health awareness, and psychosocial support to ensure that no child is left behind.
She noted that the county has also invested in vocational training institutions to equip school dropouts with practical and technical skills, offering them a second chance at a productive future.
Chibule also underscored the vital role parents play in the upbringing of their children, stressing that families are the first line of defense against harmful behaviors and societal pressures.
Faith to Action Network Chief Executive Officer Peter Munene highlighted the transformative vision of the initiative, describing it as a movement rooted in dignity, equity, and health for young people.
“This is more than just a project, it’s a movement toward restoring dignity and promoting equal opportunities for adolescent girls,” she said.
Munene said the project is striving to ensure every young person has the chance to thrive in a safe and supportive environment.
He added that the initiative is creating inclusive platforms where interfaith leadership can play a pivotal role in driving lasting change across various spheres of society.
“From pulpits to classrooms and village councils, we are mobilizing faith leaders to challenge harmful norms and champion the rights and wellbeing of our youth,” he said.
A religious leader Captain Mary Osore lauded the initiative for not only recognizing the faith sector’s potential but also bringing together Christian, Muslim, and traditional spiritual leaders.
She said the project brings hope for the future generations.
Osore noted that the lack of adequate attention to teen pregnancy has allowed the issue to proliferate.
“We’re grateful this organization has come with practical strategies to confront this challenge head-on,” she said.
The initiative’s strategy includes working closely with village elders, area chiefs, and school administrators to organize barazas and targeted forums for parents.
The gatherings aim to raise awareness and encourage dialogue on adolescent health, consent, and parental responsibility.
Sheikh Hassan Ali Kapombe has pledged to use religious platforms to raise awareness and combat teen pregnancies.
He said the initiative will be implemented through youth departments in churches and mosques, targeting school-going adolescents.
According to him, the approach aims to strengthen collaboration between faith-based institutions and educational centers.
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