Reproductive and sexual health problems of adolescent girls in Kenya: A challenge to the church

Abstract

Young women growing up in a poor country like Kenya face multiple discrimination on the basis of sex, age and economic status. Although pre-marital sex is condemned in nearly all societies, and young, unmarried people, especially young women, are not expected to be sexually active, the gap between expected and actual behaviour is enormous. In sub-Saharan Africa, the majority of young girls are sexually active, sometimes with multiple partners. Studies in sub-Saharan Africa indicate that youth are initiated into sexual activity as early as age 12 for girls and 13 for boys. 1 It is also estimated that 62 per cent ofall mothers in sub-Saharan Africa are within the 15–19 age cohort. 2 This results in reproductive health problems, including pregnancy, abortion, HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases and stress, which are of both policy and theological significance. The Church could take a lead in putting the reality of youth sexuality into the public consciousness and onto the political agenda. As the moral conscience of Kenyan society, the Church should condemn discrimination against adolescent girls and take positive action by initiating a youth pastoral ministry through which the reproductive health needs of adolescents might be addressed.