Many young boys and girls, especially from informal backgrounds, engage in early sexual activity. This is not a new phenomenon; it has been happening for a long time. Some face serious consequences such as contracting STDs, becoming pregnant, opting for abortion, or even dying during these processes.

These outcomes often result from victimization, arrest, and harsh disciplinary actions by the community. Most of these young people lack the emotional support needed to cope with the situations they find themselves in. Some give birth, perpetuating the cycle of poverty, as they were already struggling financially, and adding a new family member becomes overwhelming.

This takes me back to my childhood. I was raised in a large family with many sisters. One of my sisters became pregnant while she was in seventh grade, and the father of her child was a boy in eighth grade. Both were very young and unsure of what to do.

I had heard the rumor much earlier because it was widespread, but unfortunately, it took my mother a long time to discover the truth. When she asked if I knew about it, I admitted that I did. My mother was very disappointed that I hadn’t told her sooner.

She was deeply saddened, and I felt terrible for keeping it from her. Unfortunately, this incident ended my sister’s schooling. When I write about this, it is from personal experience and something I understand very well.

Whenever this happens, both victims face significant challenges. Many girls leave school and begin caring for children—imagine a child raising a child; it’s truly unfortunate. It takes time for these girls to recover from such an ordeal. Some manage to return to school and continue their education, while for others, it marks the end of their schooling.

Boys, on the other hand, often face a different kind of treatment. They are not only condemned but sometimes arrested, taken to court, and even charged and imprisoned. Boys typically endure harsher consequences compared to their female counterparts. People often forget that all involved are minors and deserve equal treatment.

Sex education should be compulsory, not only in schools but also at home, to ensure better understanding and support for all young people.

The reasons above make me very happy about the recent ruling of the high court. Let me highlight them in summary.

• High Court rules consensual adolescent relationships should not lead to criminal prosecution
• Judges order police, DPP and state agencies to reform handling of minors’ sexual offence cases
• Rights groups hail ruling as a major victory for adolescent health, dignity and education

The High Court of Kenya has delivered a landmark ruling declaring that adolescents should not be criminalized for consensual, non-coercive and non-exploitative relationships with peers, in a decision activists say could transform reproductive rights and child protection laws in the country.

This is a welcome decision, and I want to thank everyone involved in this landmark ruling. It will greatly help rescue young individuals who are experiencing unexplained suffering. I hope boys will receive fair treatment whenever such situations arise. This is truly a positive and much-needed development.

written by Olwa