Girl Summit Bears Fruit in Fight Against Teen Pregnancies in Coast Region

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Efforts to stop teen pregnancies in the Coast region are bearing fruit with girls, teachers, and mentors indicating tangible results of empowerment programs targeting Kilifi and Kwale counties.

Among the key interventions is the (Gumzo Darasani_ initiatives) part of which is the latest Girl Summit organised by Zamara Foundation organization that focuses on advancing girl-child empowerment, and education.

Umi Mohammed, a student from Denyenye Junior School, who attended the summit, says the initiative has equipped her with critical life skills that have boosted her self-confidence and focus on education.

These skills are keeping girls in school and reducing vulnerability to early pregnancies.

“We were taught how to handle issues affecting us and where we encounter problems we report to our teacher for assistance. Our mentors have also coached us on how to become future leaders,” she said adding that she will extend the knowledge to other girls in her school.

Everlyne Peter from Mkwajuni Junior School in Kilifi noted that the summit provided them with practical guidance on managing emotions and avoiding risky behaviour.

“We have been taught how to be hardworking, and how to handle emotions during classes and how to avoid young boys and avoid sexual relationships while in school,” she said.

Teachers say such life skills training is already translating into measurable impact.

Nancy Moraa Nyanchoga, a teacher at Mkwajuni observed that since the rollout of the Gumzo Darasani program, cases of teen pregnancy have significantly declined alongside improved academic performance among girls.

“The program has taught girls how to avoid teen pregnancies, making wise decisions, and it has also helped teachers understand how they can use their profession to impact knowledge to the learners.”

According to her schools are adopting creative engagement methods, including skits, drama, and counselling sessions, to reinforce messaging around reproductive health, decision-making, and self-worth.

In Kwale County, Binti Hamisi from Kiteje Primary and Junior School said there was need to sustain focus on girl-child education, warning that teen pregnancies continue to derail academic progress.

“When a girl child gets pregnant while in school, it means their education is compromised, this is what we are calling against. We don’t want our gild to drop out of school because of getting pregnancies,” she said.

The teacher noted that school-based clubs are increasingly being used to sensitize girls, encourage reporting of abuse, and build confidence—interventions she credits with reducing both teen pregnancies and school dropout rates.

According to Risper Kengere, Community Coordinator at Zamara Foundation, the summit is designed to complement classroom learning by exposing girls to mentorship and practical life skills essential in preventing early pregnancies.

“We did this activities outside the class to ensure that the girls can get knowledge about life skills direct from mentors and key speakers to ensure the girls dreams are mentored to become meaningful people in the society,” she said.

She called for a multi-sectoral approach in addressing the challenge.

“We are appealing to all players to ensure we win the war on teen pregnancy and promote girl child education.”

“These challenges have continued to repeat itself, and this is what we don’t want to see happening, we are asking all players, parents, governments, teachers to focus on girl child to ensure they stay in school and become meaningful people in future.”

The summit, held under the theme “Dream Boldly. Become Fully. Lead Fiercely,” brought together more than 80 junior secondary school girls from the two counties.

It aims to amplify girls’ voices, build resilience, and equip them with tools to navigate challenges such as peer pressure, abuse, and early pregnancies.

Zamara Foundation Executive Director Wambui Kimani said the initiative is already delivering results.

“We have seen a lot of success in the Gumzo darasani program,many girls have excelled,we have helped them scale up,and we are seeing a positive change of girlchild both in school, they have gained confidence to speak up on some of violences against girls,” said Kimani.

Through mentorship, peer learning, and open dialogue, the Girl Summit is increasingly emerging as a critical platform in the fight against teen pregnancy—empowering girls to stay in school and take charge of their futures.