Inclusive Minds

Sexual and reproductive health is not just about physical well-being, but also includes mental and social well-being. Mental health plays a crucial role in sexual and reproductive health , and it is important to examine the link between the two and the need for integrated interventions. Here are some ways in which mental health impacts sexual and reproductive health: Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and trauma can put many young women and men in a vulnerable state. Lack of understanding or education on what is happening to a young person’s body during puberty can l ead to mental health issues as there is no support at home within the family or at schools  Stigma and discrimination related to sexual and reproductive health issues can lead to mental health p roblems such as depression, anxiety, and social isolation point. Mental health interventions? Integrated interventions that address both mental health and sexual and reproductive health can improve ...

In many communities around the world, girls continue to face deeply ingrained societal norms and traditions that limit their opportunities for education, safety, and personal development. Among these communities, the Maasai people of Kenya are no exception, where early marriages, sexual abuse, and cultural expectations often overshadow the dreams and potential of young girls. However, amidst these challenges, a growing movement is emerging that seeks to redefine what is possible for Maasai girls—offering not just education, but empowerment.  Early Marriage and Gender-Based Violence: A Barrier to Education In Maasai culture, girls are often married off at an early age, often as young as 12 or 13. This practice denies them the opportunity to pursue education and build independent futures. Early marriage is often accompanied by gender-based violence, limiting the girls' autonomy and further entrenching gender inequality. While some Maasai communities have made strides in recognizing...

An interesting conversation held on the 31st of May 2024 on violence against women and girls encouraged me to reflect on the intersection of culture and religion. The consultation process aimed to foster global conversations on women's rights in Islam, involving renowned Islamic academics, local Muslim scholars, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and Muslim women's rights networks. The goal of the representation was fairness, with efforts made to ensure diversity in terms of region, age, and gender. The Faith to Action Network, in partnership with its founding members—Al-Azhar University, Muhammadiyah, and Muslim groups—arranged the consultative webinar. Its goal was to provide a safe space for Muslim faith actors to share their perspectives on women’s rights in Islam, while also allowing attendees to express their thoughts and opinions. The meeting provided an overview of the situation, explored the theological foundations, and offered an understanding of what Isl...

Photo: Reuters Let’s be real: Kenya’s youth are the heart, the hustle, and the future of the nation. We’ve got energy, ideas, and the ability to make waves – but there's one thing we need to work on: getting more involved in governance and political matters. If we want to shape the future we’re dreaming of, it’s time to step into the arena and become more aware of what’s going on in the political world. After all, politics isn’t just for old men in suits – it’s for everyone, especially the youth. 1. Politics Affects Your Everyday Life – Don’t Sleep on It! Okay, let’s break this down. Ever wondered why your local roads are full of potholes or why there’s no Wi-Fi in your favorite café (hello, distractions)? That’s politics in action! The decisions made by those in power affect almost every part of your life, from the price of goods to the quality of your education, healthcare, and job opportunities. The thing is, if you don’t know how these decisions are made or who is making them, ...

One of the rising issues emanating from the femicide discussion in these 16 days of activism in Kenya is victim-blaming. An ongoing TikTok trend, #womeninmalefields, is one of the creative outlets that many women are using to show how victim-blaming looks when the other party is in the opposite direction. The comments are filled with women relaying their experiences and feelings towards popular sentiments relayed by men on why it was the women’s fault. Among those popular sentiments are: ‘What were the women wearing?’, ‘Why were the women outside at such and such a time?’, and ‘Why didn’t the women scream?’ It is such comments that reveal the blind spots of society and the dire need for sensitization on this issue. One often wonders if society would treat sex-targeted murders equally if the coin were flipped. In an attempt to shift the discourse, let’s look at 4 myths and facts that dispel myths around femicide in Kenya. Myth 1: Women’s behaviour causes femicide The fact is that the p...

According to the European Institute for Gender Equality, femicide is the most severe form of gender violence. It is a manifestation of the existing power imbalances that can make the female gender be treated as less deserving of human dignity. This is the root problem that has resulted in  more than 600 violent female deaths in Kenya from 2016 to 2023. The bone-jarring, back-to-back news of women killed in Kenya in 2024 has prompted many women and their allied organizations to term this issue an epidemic. Femicide is now brought into the light in a big way, although the larger, more persistent cancer is the unassuming, masked aggressions that women face every day. Many women manoeuvre through this sad reality by moving in silence, enduring, and adapting to these hurdles that society has created over time. This issue is a culmination of interlinked spaces and mindsets that have failed to uphold female dignity. Just as the foundation of the is...

Today marks a solemn and reflective moment, as we commemorate the first anniversary of Kelvin Kiptum’s legendary world record at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, and also mourn his untimely passing. Kiptum, who set an unparalleled time of 2:00:35 in Chicago, left an indelible mark on the world of athletics, and his sudden death shocked the global running community. Kiptum’s rise in the marathon world was nothing short of meteoric. On that fateful day in Chicago, he not only secured his place in history but inspired millions. His record-shattering performance, just 35 seconds short of the elusive sub-two-hour marathon, seemed like the beginning of an even more remarkable journey. Yet, life had different plans, and his death has left a void in the hearts of fans, fellow athletes, and aspiring marathoners alike. The Unstoppable Force in Marathon Running Kelvin Kiptum was a marvel of athleticism, and his career was rapidly gaining momentum when he passed away. His 2022 marathon debut in Valencia...

The future is female—and we’re here for it. Let’s build a Kenya where every woman is valued, respected, and empowered. Despite their critical role in society, many women still face gender-based discrimination, violence, and exclusion. It is time we, as a society, reflect deeply on how we value and respect women and recognize their undeniable significance in shaping our future. Kenya’s women are the heartbeat of this country—from the mama mboga who hustles at dawn to the female CEOs smashing glass ceilings in Nairobi. Yet, too often, they’re undervalued, underestimated, and even mistreated. It’s time to change that narrative because respecting and empowering women isn't just a "nice thing to do"—it’s the key to unlocking Kenya’s full potential. Did you know Kenyan women make up more than half of the workforce? They’re running businesses, farms, and hustles that keep our communities alive. But many still earn less than men for the same work, and access to land or credit? Do...

1. Climate Change is Personal: Kenya has already seen the effects of climate change—severe droughts, unpredictable rainfall, and floods. These changes impact agriculture, a backbone of Kenya’s economy, leading to food insecurity and higher living costs. By fighting for the environment, you’re fighting for a sustainable livelihood. 2. Job Creation in Green Industries: The environmental sector is full of opportunities. Whether it's renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste recycling, or eco-tourism, green industries offer employment and entrepreneurship prospects. You can be part of the solution while earning a living in an industry that's growing globally. 3. Advocating for Policy Change: Youth voices can shape policies. Movements like Fridays for Future have shown that young people can influence government decisions. Kenya’s leaders need to be held accountable for their environmental promises, and youth activism can ensure that sustainable policies are implemented. How K...

In recent years, many young Kenyans have been lured by the idea of leaving the country to chase opportunities in Western nations, seeking better jobs, higher wages, and a seemingly brighter future. It’s understandable—when you see friends and relatives abroad with well-paying jobs, the temptation is real. But what if I told you that by leaving, we’re unintentionally hurting our own country’s future? What if, by staying and working together, we could build the Kenya we all dream of? Here’s why staying and building our own country, rather than emigrating, matters now more than ever. The Brain Drain: Kenya’s Greatest Loss Kenya is rich in talent, creativity, and innovation. Our universities produce some of the brightest minds in Africa. However, a significant number of these talented graduates leave for other countries in search of better opportunities. This phenomenon is known as brain drain, and it's one of the biggest threats to Kenya’s future. When the best and brightest leave, ou...

The Fight for a Free Kenya Isn’t Over When you hear the word "colonialism," your mind might flash back to history lessons about how foreign powers once dominated African countries, including Kenya. But what if I told you that even today, long after we’ve gained independence, a new, subtler form of colonization is happening right under our noses? This phenomenon is called neocolonialism, and it’s something every Kenyan youth should understand because it directly affects your future, your opportunities, and your freedom. What Exactly Is Neocolonialism? Neocolonialism, simply put, is the modern-day practice where powerful countries and corporations continue to control the economic, political, and social affairs of developing nations—like Kenya—through indirect means. Instead of the colonial-era guns and treaties, today’s tools are things like loans, trade agreements, foreign aid, and multinational corporations. It’s sneaky because it feels like freedom—after all, we are no longe...

Everyone faces financial difficulties at some point, and Kenyan youth are no exception. Challenges such as unemployment, low income, managing student loans, mobile loans, gambling, and a lack of sufficient savings to invest or start businesses are common. However, solutions exist for most of these problems. Here are some of Kenyan youth's financial challenges and tips on overcoming them. 1. Unemployment Every year, around 500,000 young Kenyans graduate from tertiary institutions ready to join the workforce. Unfortunately, due to slow economic growth, corruption, nepotism, and a skills mismatch in the job market, nearly 75% of them remain unemployed. A 2017 study funded by the British Council found that it takes an average Kenyan graduate five years to secure a job. How to Overcome It: Think outside the box. Consider developing a side hustle or alternative income streams based on your skills. If you’re still in college, seek internships, and entrepreneurial opportunities, or learn n...

As the world marks the International Day of Peace, the Kenyan youth have been urged to use the various digital platforms at their disposal to champion for peace in the world. Youthful CEO Community Initiatives for Social Equity (CISE) Joan Njeri opines that the youth have become aware of the digital tools at their disposal, using them for business, and they should direct the same energy in preaching the message of peace across the world. “Most recently, the youth have shown a lot of energy and digital skills in expressing their dissatisfaction with governance through protests, and the focus at the moment should be how this energy that would otherwise be used to propagate anarchy and violence can be channelled to propagate the message of peace worldwide. Peace has to start with an individual, so we cannot preach peace in the world if in our own personal spaces and societies we lack the same,” she stressed. Njeri observed that in her engagement with the youth, they have cited poverty, ge...

In Summary The World Food Programme’s H2Grow project installed a hydroponic unit at her school for use in agriculture classes to introduce learners to climate-friendly farming and to provide nutritious food to students. In the face of rapid urbanisation and climate shocks, the need for sustainable solutions that address food security like hydroponics has never been more urgent. When 16-year-old Mercy Mmboga joined high school in Kibera, she was set on becoming a doctor. That was until she learnt a 'new technology' of growing vegetables and leafy greens without soil-hydroponics. She had a new dream of becoming a farmer. “I was amazed,” she said standing next to a row of spinach sprouting out of old yoghurt containers in a recycled drainpipe at Olympic Secondary School.  Mmboga had never seen this type of farming. “They are planting crops without using soil? I had never seen this in my life. I was very impressed with this. When I grow up, I want to be a farmer.”  Hydroponics is a...

Did you know that Kenya is a youthful population with 3 out of 4 people aged below 35? The National Council for Population and Development engaged the public through X Space to discuss issues affecting the youth – their health, well-being, livelihood and challenges. Specifically, looking at what has been done and what still needs to be done as we strive to harness the potential of our youthful population in line with our transformative agenda. How does NCPD promote quality population? By advising the government on population issues that need attention and those that are emerging By development of population policies and implementation of the population programme By advocating for policy direction and action, e.g. reviving the FP programme after fertility stall at 4.7 births and unmet needs at 25% between 1997 and 2008 By advocating for increased domestic financing for the FP programme By advising the government on population issues that need attention and those that are emerging By adv...

Africa’s youth have been encouraged to embrace engineering as a crucial driver of development and innovation across the continent. Speaking at the 10th annual UNESCO Africa Engineering Week – High-Level Workshop held in Nairobi, Eng. Maureen Mwaniki, Director of Public Affairs and Policy at Huawei Kenya, said the shortage of engineers in Africa, and the rest of the world was a cause for concern. “There has been declining interest in the profession from the youth, with the enrolment of young people, especially women in the profession dwindling. The continent is facing a situation where there are a lot of older more experienced engineers, but not enough young candidate engineers entering the profession. Our ability to sustain the profession lies in the number of young people choosing engineering as a career,” Eng. Mwaniki said. She noted that Africa’s future depends on its youth embracing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, particularly engineering, which l...

Renowned pan-African advocates, Professor P. L. O. Lumumba, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, and Peter Obi, have united to encourage African youth to persevere in shaping the future of the continent. Scheduled for January 7, the self-funded NGO event in Ghana faced an unexpected cancellation. Speaking post-cancellation, Dr. Arikana expressed regret but emphasized their duty to make amends. "We acknowledge our let-down to the youth, but we recognize our duty to set things right. With the wisdom, energy, and intelligence of our youth, we believe in steering Africa towards a new path," expressed Dr. Arikana.The speakers, invited to deliver a message of hope and unity, highlighted the youth's role in shaping Africa's future. Professor PLO Lumumba referenced Osageyefo Kwame Nkrumah's call for African unity in Accra 67 years ago, noting that the message of hope will persist despite the disruption. Professor Lumumba anticipates similar events across Africa, emphasizing the c...

Strong governments in Kenya and Uganda are grappling with a new problem: angry, organized young people demanding change. In June, Kenya witnessed historic protests as young people took to the streets to oppose legislation that, if passed, would raise $2.7 billion through higher taxes on essential goods. This would significantly increase the cost of living for many Kenyans. The initial backlash against the Finance Bill 2024 ignited across social media. The digital uproar swiftly transformed into mass demonstrations in mid-June 2024. Thousands of young people joined human rights advocates in protests. The scale of unrest caught Kenya off guard, as what was meant to be a peaceful demonstration escalated into violence. This upheaval left Kenya’s parliament vulnerable to break-ins, leading to the deployment of heavy security forces and resulting in numerous deaths, disappearances and extensive property damage. “We call that collateral damage,” said Edward Francis Babu, a former Ugandan mini...