By Aoma Keziah,
Young people in Nairobi continue to face deep seated challenges related to gender violence, sexual health, and shifting social norms that’s according to new findings released by the International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya (ICRHK) and its partners at Githurai grounds in Nairobi.
The latest figures come from the Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) Agile Nairobi Youth Cohort 2024 Survey, which tracked a group of adolescents and young adults to understand the realities they face in the city. The data was presented during a forum held at the Githurai Youth Empowerment Centre in Nairobi, bringing together researchers, government officials, community leaders, and youth advocates.
Delivering his keynote address Professor Peter Gichangi, the PMA Agile Principal Investigator noted that the findings they shared are sobering. Nearly 1 in 5 partnered young women report experiencing physical violence in the past year. Over 1 in 5 report sexual violence.
“These are not just statistics. These are sisters, daughters, students, friends whose right to safety, dignity, and opportunity is being violated. Todays findings also reveal that Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is the most prevalent form of violence, with 28.4% of partnered young women reporting physical and/or Sexual IPV within the past year,” he stated.
He further continued to say that these numbers are not just statistics they represent real lives affected by abuse, mothers living in abuse marriage and relationships and often in silence.
“While Non-Partner Sexual Violence (NPSV) is less common, it is by no means negligible. Among the broader sample of young women, 5.8% started experiencing NPSV in the past year. This data underscores the urgent need for comprehensive, youth-centered interventions and support systems to address all forms of gender-based violence, particularly within intimate relationships,” added prof Gichangi.
During the gathering, speakers stressed the need to turn statistics into practical steps that can help protect and empower young people. Representatives from Johns Hopkins University, the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), and local youth groups added their voices to the discussion.
“ We have a duty to guide our boys and girls with facts, not myths. It starts here in our homes and our neighborhoods. I encourage residents of Githurai to take the new survey findings seriously and work together for better outcomes,” remarked Samuel Kimondo Chief Githurai.
Among the main concerns highlighted were rising cases of gender-based violence, gaps in access to family planning services, and lingering barriers tied to cultural expectations and gender roles. Stakeholders said that while the problems are not new, the survey offers fresh information that could guide new strategies.
“Young people want their voices heard and their rights respected. We cannot ignore the numbers if we want to see real progress,” said one youth leader during the event.
Organisers noted that the findings will help shape policies and programs tailored to the realities of urban youth. By using clear data to guide decisions, they hope to close the gaps that still hold many young people back.
The forum ended with a call for closer partnerships between government agencies, local communities, and young people themselves to build a safer, healthier future for the city’s youth.
Mt Kenya Times