At WRA Kenya, we work by first understanding the self-articulated needs of women and girls from all settings, recognizing that their needs are different based on their environment and context. Women and girls from nomadic and rural settings usually have a hard time accessing reproductive, maternal and newborn healthcare due to how far and few their healthcare facilities are.
Many adolescent mothers express a desire to return to school but require childcare support to do so. Others are interested in attending technical colleges to gain business skills or starting small businesses to provide for themselves and their babies. These insights, gathered from our village action networks, highlight the importance of listening to adolescent mothers and tailoring support to their specific circumstances, rather than solely focusing on prevention and statistics.
Taking Action to Support Nomadic Women’s Healthcare
Women and girls in nomadic and rural areas face significant barriers to accessing reproductive, maternal, and newborn healthcare, with distant facilities and challenging climates compounding their difficulties. Their autonomy is often restricted by patriarchal norms, leaving them vulnerable. It is crucial to take action to support these women by providing training in climate-smart solutions, financial literacy, and self-care, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to improve their health and well-being.