The Presidential Advisor on Women’s Rights, Harriette Chiggai, has affirmed the government’s commitment to eradicate the triple threat of new HIV infections, adolescent pregnancies, and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) among young people.

Addressing attendees at the 5th Women in Human Resource convention in Mombasa, Chiggai emphasized the imperative for sustained multi-sectoral collaboration to intensify efforts in ending HIV as a public health menace and combating all forms of SGBV.

Highlighting the stark statistics, Chiggai revealed, “Every single day, 256 girls get pregnant, leading to significant government expenditure of up to Sh6.1 billion for cesarean births.” She underscored the societal origins of most SGBV cases, such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which the government aims to eradicate by 2026.

Emphasizing the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment through initiatives like the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), Chiggai emphasized the pivotal role of empowering women in unlocking Kenya’s economic potential. Through prioritizing women’s education, skills training, and entrepreneurial support, BETA aims to dismantle barriers and foster an environment for women to thrive.