Africa Advocacy Foundation Kenya

Africa Advocacy Foundation Kenya aims to improve healthcare access for vulnerable and underserved communities. We work to enhance spaces for strategic advocacy, policy, and resource mobilisation. Our current focus is on sexual and reproductive health, especially as it relates to safeguarding the rights of women and girls.

Addressing Teenage Pregnancy and Child Exploitation in LREB Region

The Lake Region Economic Block (LREB) of Kenya has high rates of teenage pregnancy and child sexual exploitation mainly driven by poverty, weak law enforcement, and cultural challenges.

Africa Advocacy Foundation Kenya has been working combat these issues since March 2019 particularly in Kisumu, Homabay and Migori counties by working closely with child welfare and education professionals, maternity services, the police, legal services, community groups, and churches. Key issues include sexual exploitation by adults and boda boda (motorcycle) riders impregnating young girls, and transactional sex due to poverty, especially among orphans and vulnerable children from HIV/AIDS-affected households.

Statistics: Over 33% of girls aged 15-19 are pregnant or mothers in LREB. Many girls are exploited for money or basic needs, leading to school dropout rates (around 20%) and ongoing cycles of poverty and abuse.

Approach: Africa Advocacy Foundation Kenya engages with community leaders, social workers and educational professionals to address any emerging challenges, to advocate and provide material support teenage mothers. We also advocate for girls who have given birth to get back into education or vocational training. AAF has provided financial support to support maternity and health costs of young mothes and to facilitate legal interventions in order to protect vulnerable girls specifically in local communities of Migori, Homabay and Kisumu counties

Impact: AAF efforts has contributed to greater awareness and reporting of sexual exploitation cases. In 2023, the organisation directly supported 67 teenage mothers, including 23 girls who are empowered and provided with financial support to return to school or vocational training in Migori, Homabay and Kisumu counties.

The organisation welcomes partnerships, collaborations and volunteers to further its mission of protecting and empowering young women and girls in the LREB region.

Maternal Health in the Lake Region Economic Block (LREB), Kenya

Africa Advocacy Foundation works to improve maternal and child health in rural areas of the Lake Region Economic Block (LREB), which includes counties like Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, and Migori. The region faces significant challenges:

Maternal mortality: Over 495 deaths per 100,000 live births in some areas, compared to Kenya’s national average of 362 per 100,000.

Infant mortality: As high as 64 deaths per 1,000 live births, above the national average of 34 per 1,000.

Teenage pregnancy: Around 29% of girls aged 15-19 are pregnant, increasing maternal health risks.

Skilled birth attendance: Only 52% of births are attended by skilled healthcare providers.

Antenatal care: Fewer than 45% of pregnant women receive the recommended four antenatal visits.

Impact: Africa Advocacy Foundation's believes that each young mother's lived experience can enable us provide better interventions and ensure cultural competency of the work that we do. We engage with young mothers through a mentorship and training programme that empowers young mothers to become competent and confident advocates for self and others:

Increased skilled birth attendance in rural communities.
Reduction in maternal and infant mortality rates in high-risk areas in the 3 counties of Migori, Homabay and Kisumu.
Empowerment of young mothers through education, healthcare access, and community support.