NAIROBI, Kenya – A striking report by the Girl Child Network (GCN) has highlighted that one in every four out-of-school girls in Kenya is likely to be married before the age of 18.
The findings were unveiled during an event marking the International Day of the Girl Child 2024, where GCN Executive Director Mercy Musomi called for urgent action to address the high rates of child marriage and its associated challenges.
Musomi emphasized that education is a powerful tool in preventing early marriages, noting that girls who complete secondary school are six times less likely to marry young.
“Education not only shields girls from the dangers of early marriage but also reduces the high rates of HIV infection that often accompany it,” Musomi said. “When girls stay in school, they avoid both the economic and health risks tied to early marriage.”
The report also highlighted the economic benefits of keeping girls in school. Musomi pointed out that a girl with just one additional year of education can increase her future earnings by 20%.
Moreover, educated women are more likely to pass on the value of education to the next generation, with educated mothers being twice as likely to send their children to school compared to their uneducated counterparts.
However, Musomi stressed that tackling child marriage and boosting education requires a collective effort.
“It’s not just about educating girls,” she said. “We need to engage parents, school leaders, community leaders, and teachers to ensure girls are enrolled and retained in school.”
This year’s International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on October 11, carries the theme “Girls’ Vision for the Future.” It calls for urgent action and underscores the power of girls’ voices in shaping their own future.
Musomi also highlighted the alarming link between child marriage and HIV infection, citing a study from one region in Kenya that found 33% of married girls were HIV positive, compared to 22% of their unmarried, sexually active counterparts.
The Girl Child Network, founded in 1995 after the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, continues to focus on implementing the Beijing Plan of Action, with a particular emphasis on the rights of the girl child in Kenya.
Through its work, the organization seeks to address gender inequality, protect children’s rights, and promote education as a path to empowerment.
The findings were unveiled during an event marking the International Day of the Girl Child 2024, where GCN Executive Director Mercy Musomi called for urgent action to address the high rates of child marriage and its associated challenges.
Musomi emphasized that education is a powerful tool in preventing early marriages, noting that girls who complete secondary school are six times less likely to marry young.
“Education not only shields girls from the dangers of early marriage but also reduces the high rates of HIV infection that often accompany it,” Musomi said. “When girls stay in school, they avoid both the economic and health risks tied to early marriage.”
The report also highlighted the economic benefits of keeping girls in school. Musomi pointed out that a girl with just one additional year of education can increase her future earnings by 20%.
Moreover, educated women are more likely to pass on the value of education to the next generation, with educated mothers being twice as likely to send their children to school compared to their uneducated counterparts.
However, Musomi stressed that tackling child marriage and boosting education requires a collective effort.
“It’s not just about educating girls,” she said. “We need to engage parents, school leaders, community leaders, and teachers to ensure girls are enrolled and retained in school.”
This year’s International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on October 11, carries the theme “Girls’ Vision for the Future.” It calls for urgent action and underscores the power of girls’ voices in shaping their own future.
Musomi also highlighted the alarming link between child marriage and HIV infection, citing a study from one region in Kenya that found 33% of married girls were HIV positive, compared to 22% of their unmarried, sexually active counterparts.
The Girl Child Network, founded in 1995 after the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, continues to focus on implementing the Beijing Plan of Action, with a particular emphasis on the rights of the girl child in Kenya.
Through its work, the organization seeks to address gender inequality, protect children’s rights, and promote education as a path to empowerment.
