The introduction of Kenya’s ‘Re-entry Policy’ in 1994 marked a significant step towards achieving ‘Education for All’ in the country. This policy allowed teenage mothers who had dropped out of school due to pregnancy to be readmitted into the formal education system without discrimination. Aligned with the goals outlined in the Dakar Framework for Action, this progressive approach emphasized the importance of education for women and girls. It recognized that equal access to quality education is crucial for attaining ‘Education for All.’ By implementing the ‘Re-entry Policy,’ Kenya demonstrated its commitment to promoting gender equality and ensuring that all girls have the opportunity to receive a good quality education.

However, recent remarks by Bungoma County Governor Kenneth Lusaka, questioning the right of teen mothers to resume their education, raise concerns about the socio-political complexities that threaten education for all and leave the country’s girls and young women at risk of being denied their fundamental rights to education. It is ironic that education, which is hailed as a tool for women’s emancipation, can become a subject of debate and justification for denying access to education for a school-going girl who has become pregnant and seeks to continue her education.

Girls across the country face gender dynamics and unique challenges. Governor Lusaka’s simplistic approach, which suggests that girls who have given birth should be barred from returning to school to discourage other girls from getting pregnant, lacks depth, nuance, and understanding of the experiences of women and girls in this country. This pronouncement ignores data and evidence, such as the fact that 23% of Kenyan girls are married before their 18th birthday, and 4% are married before the age of 15.

In a country where child marriages and harmful traditional practices like FGM are prevalent, contributing to early and non-consensual sexual experiences for girls, Governor Lusaka’s statement, which simplistically attributes teenage pregnancy to irresponsible behavior, is misguided and uninformed.

Judicial records indicate an alarming increase in reported cases of defilement in Kenya. In 2021, there was a public outcry in Bungoma over the surge in cases of defilement of minors by close relatives, including fathers. Such realities highlight the urgent need to prioritize gender mainstreaming in political leadership and ensure the inclusion of women in decision-making processes, including political representation. Research has shown that women who hold elected or appointed political positions are more likely to make balanced decisions that benefit both genders. According to the United Nations Agency on Women (UN-Women), women’s engagement in local decision-making positions redefines local priorities, promoting inclusivity and family-friendly policies.

The push to roll back on progressive policies like the ‘Re-entry Policy’ is primarily driven by socio-cultural factors that aim to subjugate girls and young women, ultimately denying them opportunities and limiting their ability to achieve positive life outcomes. It is disheartening to hear such comments from a duty-bearer with the legislative mandate and responsibility to protect and uphold the rights and fundamental freedoms of the citizens of Kenya.

These sentiments expressed by Governor Lusaka underscore the importance of having increased gender representation in political leadership and the need for leaders who are educated in the lived, experienced, and nuanced challenges of their constituents who can adopt a more comprehensive approach to empower women and promote gender equality.

https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/learning-resources/child-marriage-atlas/regions-and-countries/kenya/#:~:text=What’s%20the%20prevalence%20rate%3F,before%20the%20age%20of%2018.

Written by Wanjiru Mbugua , Program Lead, Akili Dada