Enhancing Healthy, Empowered and Productive Adolescent and Young People in Mombasa County

Mombasa County: USAID Stawisha Pwani collaborated with Mombasa County to develop and launch the second edition of the Mombasa Adolescents and Young People (AYP) Strategy 2024-2029.

The Strategy aims to address adolescents’ and young people’s (10 and 24 years) health needs and to promote a healthy transition to adulthood while advocating for meaningful youth engagement in decision-making.

The event was graced by Abdallah Daleno, Chief Officer of Public Health and Disease Prevention, alongside other prominent leaders, partners, and youth representatives from across the County.

The Chief Officer commended the Strategy and urged for its successful implementation over the next five years, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts among stakeholders from various sectors to ensure the fulfilment of adolescents and young people’s needs and the protection of their rights.

The development of the Strategy was led by the Adolescent Health Technical Working Group, comprising members from the County Health Management Team, Sub-County Management Teams, partner organizations, youth representatives from Mombasa Youth Advisory Champions of Health (YACH), youth-led organizations, and civil society groups across all county wards.

Adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 account for over 29% of the population in Mombasa County. Their health and well-being are critical to the development of the County. Evidence has demonstrated that this population also contributes significantly to new HIV infections and STIs.

The 2024-2029 Strategy builds upon its predecessor (2018-2023), incorporating measures for reporting and addressing gender-based violence affecting adolescents and young people. Additionally, it integrates evidence-based mental health interventions like MindSKILLZ within the County’s framework.

The Strategy seeks to enhance the health and well-being of AYP, considering diversities such as key populations, gender and sexual minorities, vulnerable and marginalized groups, and special populations. It envisions a healthy, empowered, and productive AYP with a mission to provide leadership and an enabling environment for implementing evidence-based health services.

USAID Stawisha Pwani project is a leading partner in the health provision in Mombasa County. The project will continue engaging with the young people in Mombasa County to champion the implementation of the Strategy.