With students out of school due to COVID-19, there has been an increase in sexual activity and teenage pregnancy. Additionally, HIV prevalence in Kisumu is 3.4 times higher than the national prevalence at 19.9%. These factors combined put girls in Kisumu at a higher risk of becoming pregnant and contracting an STD, leading to physical and mental health risks.
WCI partnered with Winam Green Ventures (WGV), a nonprofit organization based in Kenya, to implement our RAP initiative in a four week-long pilot program. Through our joint effort, WCI and WGV are working to ensure that more girls will return to school in the future.
Our RAP initiative covers four main themes: Pregnancy and STD Prevention, COVID-19 Safety and Information, Menstruation and Reproductive Health, and Safe Sex Education.
Before RAP, less than a quarter of participants understood the purpose of contraceptives. As a result of the RAP workshops, 96.5% of participants now understand a variety of pregnancy prevention methods. Additionally, the girls learned how STDs are transmitted and received condoms for protection.
Participants learned how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and received reusable masks, hand soap, and hand sanitizer to protect themselves and others in their communities.
“I learned that we should not stigmatize people with COVID-19 but instead show them love and do what I can to protect myself.”
Participants learned about the female reproductive system and menstruation. Before RAP, zero participants had enough menstrual hygiene products to last through their next cycle. After RAP, 100% of participants had enough pads to last through their next cycle.
The girls learned about consent and creating personal boundaries so they can maintain healthy interpersonal relationships.
"I learned that I have the right to create limits for myself, in all relationships."
Through a Training-of-Trainers (ToT) model, WCI ensures that every program is culturally relevant and builds local leadership capacity. Our trainers not only gain the skills to conduct workshops, but are also able to integrate lessons with a refined local knowledge of the needs and resources in their communities.
Read more about our pilot program in Kenya here.
We're working to expand our RAP initiative to more communities to engage over 1,000 girls and provide job opportunities for local women to serve as facilitators and trainers.
We're working to expand our RAP initiative to more communities to engage over 1,000 girls and provide job opportunities for local women to serve as facilitators and trainers.
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