Bridging the Gender Gap in Kenya

All people should have access to safety, education, and hope. For many women and girls in Kenya, this is not their reality. Significant gender disparities persist in Kenya, making young girls susceptible to child marriage and pregnancy. Specifically, 2% of girls are married before the age of fifteen and 13% are married before the age of eighteen (Kenya, n.d.). Poverty and barriers to education are key factors that exacerbate gender disparities and put girls at risk for child marriage or pregnancy. 

To further understand the inequalities women face in Kenya, it is crucial to look at several spheres that impact their well being. The World Bank Group (n.d.) has highlighted several statistics about gender inequality in Kenya.  

  • In 2022, adult women in Kenya, on average, had a lower level of literacy than men. Men had an 85.6% literacy rate and women had an 80.3% literacy rate. 

  • 27% of women in Kenya report experiencing intimate partner violence.  

  • In 2023, women held only 23.3% of parliament seats. 

Empowered women and girls help grow empowered communities. Empowerment stems from education, and education aids in diminishing gender gaps and deterring child marriages. The mission of the Collective for Orphan Care and Education (COCE Kenya) is rooted in lowering barriers to education so that all women and girls can live healthy and safe lives. COCE Kenya is dedicated to advocating for accessible education and implementing programs that will support the women and girls in Busia County, Kenya. COCE Kenya believes that furthering the rights of women, implementing programs dedicated to health and well being, and advocating for accessible education will lead to lasting change in Kenya.  

Access to education is impactful; it can instill hope in young girls and provide opportunities for them to achieve their goals and dreams. Educational sponsorships are a way to support girls in achieving their goals and dreams. Student sponsorships lower barriers and keep education accessible. If you are interested in learning more about sponsoring a child, click here. 

References 

Kenya. Girls Not Brides. (n.d.). https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/learning-resources/child-marriage-atlas/regions-and-countries/kenya/  

WorldBank. (n.d.). Kenya. World Bank Gender Data Portal. https://genderdata.worldbank.org/en/economies/kenya  

Eusebius SmallComment