Influence of Girl Child Involvement in Commercial Sex Exploitation on Students’ Completion of Secondary Education in Msambweni Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

Female students’ completion rate of secondary school education is a concern in developing countries where generally women participation in socio economic development of these nations is wanting. A number of issues have been cited by various scholars as the causes for meager participation of female learners in middle level education. In Africa, mixed results arise from different social, cultural and economic factors influencing the female students’ education. In Kenya, in order to ascertain the effect of various aspects on girl child education, various studies have been carried out. In Msambweni Sub County, commercial carnal abuse of minors is rampant putting the sub county in a wanting status. The different practices of commercial sexual abuse of minors consist of sexual abuse by tourists and child prostitution that have emerged to be on the rise as a result of the trending social beliefs, attitudes and practices. The core intention of this study was to find out girl child’s involvement in commercial sex exploitation and its influence on learner’s completion rate of education at secondary school level in Msambweni Sub County. The research was driven by four objectives which focused on girl child involvement in child sex tourism, early marriages, teenage pregnancies and child prostitution and the influence on students’ completion rate of secondary school learning in Msambweni Sub County. This study employed a descriptive research design targeting all tutors and learners in public mixed and girls’ secondary school learning institutions in Msambweni Sub-County and county quality assurance officer for education Kwale County. The research also used a logical sampling technique to choose the respondents. Data collection was done by use of questionnaires consisting of both closed and open ended questions together with the use document analysis schedule. The results were evaluated using a statistical data analysis software notably Statistical Package for Social Sciences-SPSS. Presentation of results was by use of charts, frequency tables and percentages. Several respondents (72%) concurred with the fact that the different forms of CSEC are evidently rampant in Msambweni Sub County. From the findings of this study it has been established that girl child involvement in commercial sex exploitation of children interrupts, delays or denies them the opportunity to complete secondary education. The researcher recommends that relevant programs be developed and facilitated by both government and non-governmental bodies to create awareness on the long term benefits of completing secondary education over the perceived short term benefits of involvement in CSEC. Key Terms; Commercial sexual exploitation of children, Child sex tourism, Child prostitution, early child marriage, Teenage pregnancy DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/14-20-07 Publication date: October 31 st 2022