In the tapestry of life, I found myself weaving a story I hadn't anticipated,  getting pregnant at an early age and a dependent student was not in any of my plans. I saw my dreams vanishing as depression and isolation sunk in not mentioning  the financial struggles, social stigma resulting from the burden of unplanned parenthood at such a young age.

Unfortunately, My story is not in isolation, it's the narrative of countless young mothers who have had to let go and watch as  their dreams veer off course. Every year, thousands of young mothers and fathers find themselves facing immense difficulties due to limited access to education, vocational training, and essential life skills.

I am Veronica Judith, a change leader from the Nguvu Collective and a survivor of  unplanned parenthood. I am on a mission to pave a path of transformation and empowerment for teenage mothers who have been confronted by the challenging intersection of education and unplanned motherhood by advocating for technical institutions to admit & give comprehensive care to teen mothers to enable them to continue their education and build a brighter future for themselves and their children.

The Ministry of Health has revealed that between January and February 2022, they handled 45,724 cases of pregnant adolescents aged between 10 and 19 years. The teenage pregnancy and motherhood rate in Kenya stands at 18%. This implies that about 1 in every 5 teenage girls between the ages of 15-19 years, have either had a live birth or are pregnant with their first child. The rate increases rapidly with age from 3% among girls aged 15, to 40% among girls aged 19. The situation varies by county with some counties being disproportionately affected than the others.

The future of these teenage parents and their children is at stake! Without the necessary support, these young parents are trapped in a cycle of poverty and dependency, perpetuating a cycle of disadvantage for generations to come. The lack of educational opportunities and resources means that these young parents are denied the chance to break free from the constraints of their circumstances and build a better life for themselves and their children. By neglecting to address these challenges, we risk perpetuating a cycle of limited opportunities and unrealised potential.

Sign my petition appealing to the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Education Ezekiel Machogu to direct all technical institutions across the country to admit and give comprehensive care to the teen mothers including counselling services, access to contraceptive services and financial inclusion programme.

Investing in their potential will not only uplift individual lives but also strengthen our society as a whole. Now is the time to act and create a more inclusive and compassionate society where teenage parenthood does not define one's future but becomes a stepping stone to resilience and success. Let us unite and raise our voices so that we have a greater chance of being heard. When the  education Secretary takes action, we will have done our bit to protect the dreams of teen mothers and save their lives.

Please sign and share now #StopUnplannedParenthood #TeenMothersEducationMatters #SupportTeenParentsKE #BreakTheCycleOfStruggle