The Day of the African Child has been celebrated on June 16 every year since 1991. The day brings together governments, NGOs, international organisations and other stakeholders to discuss the challenges, opportunities and rights of the children in Africa today.

This year’s central theme is “Conflict and Crisis in Africa: Protecting all Children’s Rights” and Ace Africa Kenya has supported an event taking place at Chebelei Secondary School in Mount Elgon funded by USAID through AphiaPlus Western.

Chebelei School suffers from a high dropout rate amongst girls due to early marriage and pregnancy. During the first term 25 girls were discovered to be pregnant with children as young as 14 being married off and having to leave their education.

Teenage pregnancy is common due to children growing up in insecure environments. Conflicts over land are frequent, meaning children don’t have a stable family or a place where they can call home. Many children are left orphaned as a high percentage of men and women have been killed due to clashes over land throughout these small settlements.

DREAMS a USAID programme funded by a range of agencies including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and PEPFAR, has been set up to target adolescent girls and young women aged 10 to 24. The programme is aimed at delaying sexual debut, keeping girls in school and preventing infections through mentoring. Nearly 3,000 girls are enrolled so far in Kenya.