“Breaking Barriers, Building Dreams”

Girls and young women face significant challenges in achieving their goals in life due to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues. Despite the recognized importance of SRHR in their overall well-being, a multitude of barriers hinder their ability to access accurate information and essential SRHR services. 

According to estimates, the prevalence of HIV among people aged 15 to 49 in Kenya was 5.9% in 2015 (5) and 4.9% in 2018 (6). In terms of the expected number of new HIV infections among persons aged 15 and older in 2017, Kenya was ranked third among the eastern and southern African nations. The HIV/AIDS prevalence in the Coastal region of Kenya is higher than the national average. According to the 2021 Kenya HIV Prevalence and Incidence Survey, the HIV prevalence among adults aged 15-64 in the coastal region is 7.2%, compared to the national prevalence of 4.9%. The Coastal region of Kenya is comprised of 6 counties namely; Mombasa, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Kilifi, and Lamu. According to statistics, Mombasa County has the highest prevalence in the whole Coast region, at 7.2% , surpassing the Coast Region's 4.2% HIV prevalence. This is followed by Kwale County  at 6.8%, Kilifi County at 6.5%, Tana River County at 5.9% and Lamu County at 5.7%.  

Some of the factors contributing to the high HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in the Coastal region, include pervasive social stigma, inadequate education, limited healthcare access, deeply entrenched cultural norms, teenage pregnancies, school dropouts and economic disparities. This leads to  situations where the SRHR of girls and young women is often compromised, leading to adverse health outcomes and compromised futures. It is imperative to address these root causes systematically and comprehensively to empower this vulnerable population to make informed decisions about their SRHR, thereby improving their overall quality of life and well-being. Without timely intervention, the cycle of misinformation, health risks, limited opportunities, and social exclusion will persist, perpetuating the vulnerabilities experienced by girls and young women.

Strategy 1:Establish youth to youth network and clubs for girls and young women in and out of school and target them with SRHR awareness programs.

Strategy 2: Implement a comprehensive SRHR education program tailored to the needs of girls and young women. This program will be culturally sensitive and include topics such as puberty, contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), consent, healthy relationships, and gender equality.

Technology will be used in a number of ways to implement a comprehensive SRHR education program tailored to the needs of girls and young women. 

• Develop and use interactive online learning modules. Online learning modules will be used to teach girls and young women about a variety of SRHR topics, such as anatomy, puberty, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and menstrual health. The modules can be designed to be interactive and engaging, with features such as quizzes, videos, and simulations. Web development tools will be used to create custom online learning modules. 
• Use social media to promote SRHR awareness and education. Social media platforms will be used to reach a large number of girls and young women with SRHR information and education. Social media campaigns will be used to promote positive attitudes towards SRHR, to dispel myths and misconceptions, and to connect girls and young women with SRHR resources. These platforms will include; Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
• Use virtual reality and augmented reality to create immersive learning experiences. Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies will be used to create immersive learning experiences that can help girls and young women to learn about SRHR topics in a more engaging and impactful way by use of VR Training simulation. 

This program will target girls and young women between the ages of 10 to 35.These are a mixture of girls in school (Primary, High School and Tertiary Institutions), teenage mothers, school dropouts, and  sex workers. Currently they are faced with a number of challenges which include: Stigmatization, Discrimination, Lack of adequate SRHR knowledge and services, leading to:

• Increase in the number of HIV/AIDS and STI’s infections

• Reduced number of girls finishing school

• Increased number of Gender Based Violence cases

• Increased number of teenage mothers

• Increased number of young girls working in the sex industry

The solution will ensure that there is:

• A reduction in the number of new infections HIV/AIDS and STI’s

• Increased uptake of health services for those infected by HIV/AIDS and STI’s

• Creation of safe spaces where girls and women can access information regarding SRHR issues hence Reducing the stigmitization and discrimination faced by girls and young women in society

• Increased knowledge on SRHR issues will empower girls and young women in making informed choices in matters of sexual relationships. 

Investing in a comprehensive SRHR education program, will contribute to the health, well-being, and empowerment of the next generation. Informed and empowered girls and young women are  key to building a healthier and more equitable society. 

My team and I are well-positioned to deliver SRHR for girls and young mothers because we have the following strengths:

1. Expertise in SRHR: My team comprises professionals with backgrounds in adolescent development, maternal and child health, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. This knowledge will be crucial for giving girls and young mothers accurate and current information and services.
2. Cultural sensitivity: The members of my team are cognizant of the particular demands that young moms and girls in various cultures have. Our services can be customized to fit the unique requirements of the communities we serve.
3. Team dedication to advancing equity and inclusion in SRHR: My group is dedicated to advancing equity and inclusion in SRHR. All girls and young moms, regardless of their financial situation, color, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, should have equal access to high-quality SRHR services, in our opinion.
4. Technology utilization: Because we are a tech-savvy team, we will be able to effectively utilize technology to provide services to the community. This involves enhancing comprehension of SRHR concerns through the use of automation and online gaming.

Currently we are able to reach out to Young women and girls, both in and out of schools. We have also been able to hold forums in the community discussions around SRHR issues.

Focus on comprehensive SRHR education program, 

• My Body My Choice
• Myths and Facts
• HIV/AIDS and STI’s
• Menstraul Hygiene
• Enterprenuership 

Short Term Goals

1. Increased knowledge and awareness of SRHR. Girls and young women should have access to accurate and age-appropriate information about SRHR, including topics such as menstruation, puberty, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV/AIDS.
2. Improved access to SRHR services. Girls and young women should have access to high-quality SRHR services, such as contraception, counseling, and testing for sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS.
3. Reduced levels of gender-based violence. Girls and young women should be free from all forms of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, child marriage, and female genital mutilation.
4. Increased participation in decision-making. Girls and young women should have a voice in decisions that affect their lives, including decisions about their SRHR.

Project long Term Goals

1. SDG 5; Acheve gender equality and empower all women and girls: Empowerment of girls and young women will increase their capacity in making their own decision to transform their lives, households and communities for the better. This will be essential for building a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.
2. SDG4; Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
3. SDG3;Ensure healthy lives and well being for all ages: To empower young people to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
4. SDG1; End Poverty in all its forms everywhere: Through imparting soft skills (Entrepreneurship, Value addition on local produce, Beauty, Hair Dressing, Catering, Dressmaking) to young women they will be able to  improve their socio-economic status thus reducing the poverty levels in communities.

1. Vasta Mkambe Mwatela
2. Peter Mndawdu
3. Esther Kabibi Nzaro
4. Elizabeth Mwaka Mwanyae
5. Esther Ayidi

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1. Collaboration We achieve our results through collaboration and cooperation with like-minded organizations and players across sectors who help in facilitating technological transfers; access to opportunities and resources to nurture value for our beneficiaries Respect

2. COGHEP is founded on the principles of respect and inclusion for all regardless of religion, race, sex, and preference.

3. Innovation Founded on the principles of high adaptiveness to the ever-evolving nature of our work and the populations that we serve; COGHEP believes in use of appropriate technology hence pilot’s new intentions and upon proof of concepts scales up for maximum results, to achieve desired results and change. Through innovation and creativity COGHEP believes in generating local solutions to local problems as well as solving local problems of global technological resources and networks.

4. Integrity Our organization earn the trust of donors, partners, governments, and the people we serve by rigorously measuring performance, sharing our results, and holding ourselves accountable.

5. Empathy To transform the pain to a smile COGHEP believes in the value of deep and emphatic understanding of the beneficiary’s circumstances. Based on a non-judgmental attitude we encourage staff and associates to appreciate the pain and challenges of their clients/beneficiaries as this is only when they can come up with better solutions together.

NGOs that promote sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) usually have a hybrid revenue structure that combines unearned revenue from government contracts and subsidies with earned revenue from contributions, grants, and service fees.

Sources of earned income include:

•     donations from foundations, governmental organizations, and other sources
•     contributions from private citizens and businesses
•     Service fees, including those for education, counseling, and medicine
•     Sales of goods like contraceptives and other supplies related to sexual and reproductive health

As COGHEP we endevour to become financially sustainable, through:

• Diversifying the sources of funding
• Establishing a solid donor base
• Cutting our expenses
• Accumulating cash reserves