Peggy, 17, Kenya

Basic need(s):

Health, Education

Project:

"OKOA WASICHANA PROGRAM"

Peggy's community has a tendency to discriminate against women, particularly those who are young or unmarried. Women and girls are denied sexual education and reproductive rights, resulting in many problems with early pregnancy, early marriage, adolescent prostitution, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. In fact, her Luo community has the highest HIV/AIDS rate in all of Kenya. To combat these frightening statistics, Peggy created "OKOA WASICHANA PROGRAM" ("save girls" in Swahili) which improves the social and economic status of adolescent girls by spreading information about reproductive health and sexual rights, while also empowering them with life skills. So far, Peggy's program has trained over 80 girls on how to be financially independent, improve their decision-making and improve their health. Peggy hopes to one day see a Kenya with gender equality and a culture of empowered, independent women.

Photo: Benjamin Quinto