The negative effects of climate change that has extended beyond environmental impact has influenced social and economic conditions which has in turn exacerbated gender-based violence prospects(GBV), teenage pregnancies and HIV infections in many communities in Kilifi county.
Kilifi county government now says looming poverty as a result of this impact is to blame for the current high number of triple threats and early and forced marriage cases in most communities.
Kenneth Miriti,The Reproductive Health Coordinator for Kilifi county said that a demographic survey conducted in 2018 indicated that Kilifi had recorded 33 percentage of teenage pregnancy cases. 13 percent of such cases were as a result of incest (close family members).
Miriti however said in 2022 the county reported 12 percent of the same cases indicating a tremendous decline though still remained the top in the Coast region.
He said Magarini and Ganze sub-counties were areas mostly affected by triple threats hence making girls more prone to experiencing poverty and exploitation.
According to Dr. John Recha, a scientist and climate change researcher at International Livestock Research Institute, climate change often leads to resource scarcity (e.g., water, food, firewood), which can increase competition and tension within communities.
Women and girls, who are often responsible for collecting these resources, are more exposed to violence during these activities.
In times of scarcity, traditional gender roles may be stressed, and men might resort to violence to assert control or express frustration.
Displacement and Migration:
“Climate-induced disasters like droughts and floods can displace communities. Displacement increases vulnerability to GBV as women and girls often lack protection in temporary shelters or refugee camps.
Migration for work due to climate change can lead to family separation, increasing the risk of domestic violence and exploitation of women left behind or those migrating” Recha said.
The scientist added that
Climate change can lead to increased poverty, causing families to pull girls and boys out of school to save costs or to help with household chores.
Girls out of school are more likely to become pregnant due to a lack of education and increased vulnerability to coercive sexual relationships.
Economic hardship exacerbated by climate change can lead to higher rates of child marriages as families may marry off daughters to reduce their financial burden or in exchange for dowries.
children who are a product of child marriages are less likely to receive an education.These children have a higher chance of living in extreme poverty.
The Researcher said, Climate events can also disrupt healthcare services and infrastructure, making it harder for teenagers to access contraception and sexual health education, increasing the risk of unplanned pregnancies.
Dr. Recha explained further that Economic hardships can push women and girls into transactional sex to survive, which increases the risk of HIV infection, especially if safe sex practices are not followed.
“Climate-induced disruptions to health services can hinder access to HIV prevention and treatment services. For instance, floods and droughts can damage healthcare infrastructure and make transportation to clinics difficult, interrupting the supply of antiretroviral drugs and other essential health services” Dr. Recha added.
Despite of the government’s efforts to curb cases of GBV Kilifi remains the leading county in numbers of teenage pregnancies at the coast.
Martin Onyango, an associate Director and Legal strategist at Center for Reproductive Health has urged the government to enforce laws and policies that protect women and girls, and ensure their implementation even during climate crises, to help reduce GBV and its associated risks.
Onyango said the government should ensure youth friendly environment is provided in health facilities where victims seek maternal health care.
The strategist also said adolescents should be allowed to access contraceptives to prevent pregnancies while engaging inconsential to sex as part of their growth.
” The constitution and health laws entitles everyone to access quality of health care including reproductive health, prohibits discrimination not based on age but also on socio-economic status. The government should also providers youth and adolescent friendly information and health care services without limitation” Onyango said
He further said victims of early pregnancies were being abused, neglected and even detained in health facilities for inability to pay medical bills hence undermining their dignities and rights.
That Heath services providers should be given enough trainings to enable victims of GBV to terminate unwanted pregnancies as the law provides
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cultural and social norms are highly influential in shaping individual behavior, including the use of violence. Norms can protect against violence, but they can also support and encourage the use of it.
Research that the World Bank Group and Sexual Violence Research Initiative conducted suggests that interventions targeting gender norms are some of the most effective ways in addressing gender-based violence.
Through Head of Division , Reproductive and Maternal Health- Ministry of health, Dr.Edward Sarem, the government said a research carried out in 2023 revealed 250,000 reported cases of teenage pregnancies across the country. Lack of of information on reproductive health, poverty level and social behavioral change as a result of increased population perpetuated the violence.
That these norms varied by region, religion and other factors. However, to mitigate these impacts the government had enhanced social safety like issuance of nets which reduce the economic vulnerability of women and girls, lowering the risk of GBV, teenage pregnancies, and HIV infections.
Dr.Serem said the government had also commenced sensitization programs across the country to ensure that educational and health services are resilient to climate impacts to help maintain continuity in education and health care.
He further said the government had also started engaging communities in resilience-building and gender-sensitive programs to help address the specific vulnerabilities of women and girls.
Sarem who spoke during a Reproductive Health Stakeholders’ meeting on Monday 17, this month at White Sands hotel in Mombasa said Samburu, Tharaka Ninthi and Mount Elgon counties were currently leading in numbers of triple threat cases nationally.
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Written By: Peter Maseke.