Programme:

Right to Health

Keeping Girls in School. Ending Child Marriage. Transforming Futures.

Overview

SOMA BINTI is a girl-centered initiative implemented by Tunaweza Empowerment with support from Girl Effect to prevent child marriage in Migori County by keeping girls in school, strengthening their agency and shifting harmful social norms. Rooted in community realities, the initiative addresses the interconnected drivers of child marriage - poverty, harmful cultural practices such as FGM, low school completion, teenage pregnancy and limited decision-making power among girls.

Through a holistic, community-supported approach, SOMA BINTI creates positive and practical pathways for girls to complete their education, make informed life choices and thrive beyond early marriage.

The Problem

Child marriage remains alarmingly high in Migori County, with a prevalence of 32%, nearly three times the national average. Girls face intense pressure from poverty, entrenched gender norms, FGM, teenage pregnancy stigma and limited access to education. Decisions about marriage are often made by parents, elders or gatekeepers, leaving girls with little voice or agency.

While families may view early marriage as a coping strategy or source of economic relief, it perpetuates cycles of poverty, limits girls’ aspirations, and exposes them to lifelong health and social risks. Existing responses are often fragmented and under-resourced, underscoring the need for a coordinated, community-driven solution.

Our Goal

To reduce child marriage in Migori County by keeping girls in school, strengthening their agency and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge, and mobilizing families and communities to support alternative, positive futures for girls.

Who We Work With

• Primary Audience:
  • Adolescent girls (10–17 years)
  • Parents and caregivers
• Secondary Audience:
  • Adolescent boys and young men (15–24 years)
  • Community leaders (elders, religious leaders, chiefs)
• Tertiary Stakeholders:
  • Teachers, child protection officers, and law enforcers

Our Approach

SOMA BINTI applies a multigenerational and community-led model that combines education, social and behavior change communication (SBCC), and local leadership engagement.

Key strategies include:

• Keeping girls in school and supporting re-enrollment
• Building girls’ confidence, agency and decision-making power
• Improving SRH knowledge and pregnancy prevention
• Engaging parents to support girls’ education and delay marriage
• Working with boys and young men to promote gender-equitable attitudes
• Mobilizing community leaders to challenge harmful norms and practices

Key Activities

• Community Forum Theatre:
  Interactive performances that spark dialogue on child marriage, education, and girls’ rights, followed by guided discussions with girls and parents.
• Champion-Led Safe Spaces:
  Trained community champions facilitate structured sessions with girls and caregivers using storytelling, discussion guides, and animated videos.
• Radio Drama & Mass Media:
  Locally produced radio dramas in Luo and Kuria languages reaching thousands of community members with positive, pro-girl messaging.
• Comic Magazine & School Clubs:
  A “choose-your-own-adventure” graphic magazine distributed to girls in and out of school, reinforced through peer-led school clubs.
• Digital & SRH Linkages: