The County Government of Uasin Gishu has intensified efforts to address the triple threat facing adolescents and young people (HIV infections, teenage pregnancies and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) through a community dialogue held under the Voice of the Children Programme.
The dialogue, held in Eldoret City, brought together adolescents and young people, parents, caregivers, health workers and other community stakeholders to openly discuss the challenges driving the triple threat and identify practical solutions to safeguard the health, well-being and future of young people.
Supported by the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), the Voice of the Children Programme seeks to provide adolescents and young people with safe and inclusive spaces to share their experiences, concerns and ideas while ensuring their voices contribute to decisions and interventions affecting their lives.
The forum also focused on strengthening collaboration between young people, families and community stakeholders, promoting community ownership of adolescent health and development and generating recommendations that will help inform county policies and programmes.
How Uasin Gishu is addressing triple threat facing young people
Speaking during the dialogue, Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Eddyson Nyale emphasized the importance of creating platforms where adolescents and young people can speak freely about the challenges they face.
He noted that addressing the triple threat requires the collective involvement of parents, caregivers, health workers, community leaders and young people themselves, adding that open dialogue is critical in building supportive environments where adolescents can make informed and healthy decisions.
Health Services County Executive Janet Kurgat reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment to strengthening interventions aimed at protecting and supporting adolescents and young people.
Kurgat said the county will continue enhancing youth-friendly, confidential and non-judgmental health services, improving access to adolescent sexual and reproductive health information and services and strengthening the prevention of and response to sexual and gender-based violence through survivor-centred care and psychosocial support.
How to tackle triple threat among young people
She called for candid conversations between adolescents, parents and communities, noting that silence and stigma often prevent young people from seeking information, support and health services.
The CEC said collective action was necessary to tackle the triple threat of HIV, teenage pregnancies and sexual and gender-based violence, urging all stakeholders to play an active role in protecting adolescents and supporting their healthy development.
Eldoret City Manager Elzeba Busienei underscored the need for stronger communication and collaboration between parents and adolescents, calling for open, age-appropriate conversations on issues affecting young people.
She further emphasized the importance of engaging boys and young men as partners in preventing HIV infections, reducing teenage pregnancies and ending sexual and gender-based violence.
Promotive and Preventive Health Chief Officer Dr Billy Lubanga Promotive said the Department of Health Services remains committed to strengthening youth-focused services across health facilities to ensure adolescents and young people can access appropriate, confidential and non-judgmental care, information and support.
He added that the county has developed a circumcision policy aimed at strengthening interventions targeting the boy child and promoting the health and well-being of boys and young men.
Through the Voice of the Children Programme, Uasin Gishu is placing adolescents and young people at the centre of efforts to confront the triple threat, recognizing that lasting solutions require their active participation alongside families, communities, health workers and other stakeholders.
The dialogue is expected to generate community-driven recommendations that will guide and strengthen county interventions, policies and programmes aimed at preventing HIV, teenage pregnancies and sexual and gender-based violence among adolescents and young people.
Among the partners present were the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council and AMPATH.
