Lobbyists accuse government of delaying launch of 2018 School Health Policy

Right  DAYO Director Seif Jira flanked by Mombasa Youth Advisory council President Juliet Akumu Photo By Peter Kombe

BY PETER KOMBE

Human rights crusaders working around the 2018 School Health Policy (SHP) are accusing the government on claims of delaying its launch.

The 2018 SHP according to the activists is ready for a mega launch after thorough review by both state and non-state actors.

Speaking to the media at Mid View Hotel Nyali on Friday, Benson Chakaya a Right Here Right Now national coordinator says civil society organisations have been spending sleepless nights, jointly with government in order to realize the fruits of the SHP.

“The government should launch this policy we have been working up and down to ensure that this policy sees the light of day,” he said.

According to him Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu counties lead other counties in teenage pregnancy.

The activists says the 2009 school health policy was in comprehensive enough to address the pertinent issues that young people face.

Attendants follow through the session Photo By Peter Kombe

“We are working in three counties including Mombasa Kisumu and Nairobi. This is because these counties have been leading on issues of teenage pregnancy,” the activists said.

He argues that RHRN works closely with the government in order to address some of the pertinent issues affecting young people accusing parents’ on claims of being silent on the reproductive health of their children.

Meanwhile, Justine Nabwire a human rights activist from Youth Accountability and Strategy Network says reproductive health is a concern to all Kenyans and should not be politicized.

She is calling on stakeholders to join hands so that young people can have an access to better reproductive health care.

“This is not something that our leaders should bring in politics. Health is a major concern to all Kenyans,” she noted.

Nabwire is of the opinion that young people should be imparted with knowledge as a way of empowering them.

According to her lobbyists act as a voice to the voiceless and should not relent in quest for a healthy, just and free society.

“This policy once launched should be printed and given out to all citizens just like the constitution,”

She wants the national government to produce more copies of the school health policy once launched.

On his part, Dream Achiever Youth Organization DAYO sexual health reproductive rights officer Geitano Ndalo says the 2009 school health policy was silent on some of the key issues affecting young people.

He points out that there is a need for the civil society to popularize the 2018 school health policy adding that most children are not aware of its existence.

“The 2018 SHP was developed due to the gaps in the previous policy. It was not comprehensive enough,” he noted.

He says there is also a need to breakdown the SHP due to the jargon embedded in.

Nairobi County Youth Advisory Council President Martha Kombe says teenage pregnancy is still rampant in Kamukunji and both Mukuru Kwa Reuben and Mukuru kwa Njenga.

She cites unsafe abortion, defilement, drug and substance abuse and menstrual hygiene as some of the challenges facing young people in Nairobi City County.

“There are still cases of Sexual and gender based violence, defilement and drug and substance abuse in areas of Nairobi City County,” she noted.

She says according to Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2014 report child marriage is still rampant in Kamukunji areas in Nairobi County.

The school health policy touches on eight thematic areas including among other: access to health and nutrition services, access to education, non-discrimination, access to information, equality and equity.

The two day capacity building training brought together various CSO’s advocates working under Right Here Right Now (RHRN) platform.

Also in attendance was Dream Achievers Youth Organization Director Seif Jira, DAYO Programs coordinator Enos Opiyo