Adolescent girls and young women in Isiolo and Marsabit face higher rates of gender-based violence and unsafe sex practices increasing their risk of teenage pregnancy and school dropout, which in turn leads to a lack of economic resources and income-generating options and a general lack of agency in shaping their lives. The root cause of these vulnerabilities is largely determined by the girls’ weak social, health, and economic assets. Adolescent girls and young mothers’ limited access to and control over productive assets and resources and decision-making power further aggravates their health and nutrition and that of their children.
Nawiri life skills program targets adolescent girls and young mothers aged 15 to 24 years who constitute a significant number of those with negative health and nutrition outcomes and lacking in relevant skills, knowledge, and attitude to sustainably address persistent acute malnutrition affecting young children.
The overall goal is to develop a Nawiri Life Skills curriculum and training modules and build the capacity of the Trainer of Trainers (TOT) to deliver the program. The life skills program is intended to build the agency, as well as the social, health, and economic assets of adolescents’ mothers and youth aged 15 to 24 years, in a safe and fun learning environment.

The project equips AGYMs with self-efficacy skills to gain confidence and cope with emotional stresses, make decisions, explore and engage in economic activities, and adopt healthy habits for improved health and nutrition outcomes. AGYMs also increase their knowledge of appropriate child care, hygiene, feeding, and dietary requirements. The project equips AGYMs with entrepreneurship and financial management skills to enhance their financial literacy and gain the ability to plan their finances. Continuous mentorship and individual and group counseling helps AGYMs sustain the skills learned resulting in improved quality of life. AGYMs also get an opportunity to acquire a technical skill of their choice through apprenticeship and vocational training, providing them with an opportunity to participate in the labor markets through job creation.