HFAW’s Work in Nyamira, Kisii, and Kajiado Counties on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

HFAW’s Work in Nyamira, Kisii, and Kajiado Counties on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

Hope Foundation for African Women (HFAW) is dedicated to advancing sexual and reproductive health rights in marginalized and rural communities across Nyamira, Kisii, and Kajiado counties in Kenya where FGM and GBV are rampant.

In these counties, HFAW implements comprehensive, community-led programs that focus on awareness creation, capacity building, advocacy, and linkages to service providers through Community Health Promoters and local facilities—aimed at improving the health and dignity of women, girls, and vulnerable groups.

Key Focus Areas Include:

Ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Child Marriage

HFAW works closely with local leaders, schools, women’s groups, youth, and law enforcement to challenge harmful cultural practices such as FGM and early marriages, which are prevalent especially in Kisii, Nyamira and Kajiado. Through community dialogues, alternative rites of passage, and rescue support for at-risk girls, HFAW fosters safer environments for girls to grow, thrive, and pursue their life goals through education.

Promoting Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health

In all three counties, HFAW equips women, girls and young teenage mothers with accurate information on reproductive health, contraception, menstrual hygiene, and life skills. Peer education, school-based clubs, and community forums empower young girls and women to make informed choices and advocate for their rights.

Enhancing Access to SRHR Services

HFAW partners with local health facilities to increase access to quality reproductive health services, including family planning, maternal health care, and treatment for sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). In Kajiado County, women and girls living with disabilities have a special desk at Ongata Rongai Sub County Hospital, ensuring they are urgently and respectfully attended to. HFAW supports the training of community health volunteers and workers to deliver youth-friendly, inclusive, and non-discriminatory care.

Community Empowerment and Advocacy

Through participatory approaches, HFAW mobilizes communities to demand accountability and better policies supporting SRHR. This includes training women and youth as community champions, advocates, and paralegals to report and respond to violations of reproductive rights and GBV cases.

Menstrual Hygiene Management in Schools

Hope Foundation for African Women (HFAW) is committed to advancing menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) education as a critical component of girls’ health, dignity, and school retention. Through targeted school-based interventions in Kisii and Kajiado counties, HFAW is breaking taboos, addressing period poverty, and creating supportive environments for adolescent girls.

HFAW’s menstrual hygiene initiative includes:

• Providing reusable sanitary pads and menstrual hygiene kits
• Conducting health education sessions for girls and boys
• Training teachers and health clubs to reduce stigma
• Engaging parents and the broader community in open dialogue

Impact Highlights

• School Attendance: More girls are staying in school during their periods due to access to sanitary products and improved facilities.
• Stigma Reduction: Joint sessions with boys and girls have promoted empathy and reduced teasing.
• Empowerment: Girls manage their menstruation with dignity, boosting their class participation and leadership potential.

HFAW’s work has led to increased community awareness and dialogue around SRHR, reduced incidences of harmful practices like FGM and teenage pregnancies, improved uptake of reproductive health services, and strengthened local capacity to protect and advocate for the rights of women and girls.