Policy
Commitment description:Adolescents and young people (10 – 24 years) account for 29% (346,916) of the population of
Mombasa County (MCASP, 2016). Their health and well-being is therefore an asset in the
development of the county. Evidence has demonstrated that this population also contributes
greatly to new HIV infections and STIs. AYP present a myriad of challenges including high rates
of teen pregnancies, drugs and substance abuse, sexual and gender based violence, high rates
of unemployment among others. Underneath these challenges are harmful cultural and religious
practices that impede efforts to address them.
Mombasa young population is a primary vehicle for realizing the demographic dividend meeting
ICPD targets and the principle engine for achieving the UN2030 Sustainable Development
Goals if right and critical investments are made towards their empowerment. They will be able to
explore their possibilities and fulfill their potential, hence driving the country’s social economic
development. The ICPD therefore, provides us an opportunity to reinvigorate our energies and
re-commit to delivering quality health, dignity, rights and agency of young people
Mode of engagement:
- Programmatic actionAddressing the needs of adolescents and young people in accessing services and information.
Achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health as a part of universal health coverage (UHC)(4) Access for all adolescents and youth, especially girls, to comprehensive and age-responsive information, education and adolescent-friendly comprehensive, quality and timely services to be able to make free and informed decisions and choices about their sexuality and reproductive lives, to adequately protect themselves from unintended pregnancies, all forms of sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices, sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, to facilitate a safe transition into adulthood.
