The Addressing Neglected Areas of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa (ANeSA) Initiative A situational analysis of adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) landscape focusing on child marriage and sexual and gender-based violence in Turkana County, Kenya.

Despite commendable strides in legal and policy reforms, child marriage (CM) is an issue that needs to be addressed. Child marriage refers to the marriage or cohabitation of a minor (1), which, under Kenyan law, is classified as illegal and constitutes an act of defilement. Child marriage is both a cause and consequence of gender inequality and a major form and driver of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), which includes intimate partner violence, rape, emotional abuse, and coercive control (2). Child marriage in Turkana County cuts across social divides, sustained both by the affluent who uphold tradition and by impoverished families who view it as a pathway out of poverty (3).

Child marriage poses numerous risks, particularly for girls, who are often forced to abandon their education, limiting their ability to develop skills, gain knowledge, and build the confidence needed to make informed decisions (4,5). Many child brides face serious health complications during childbirth, as their bodies are not yet physically mature. Early childbearing resulting from such unions heightens the risk of obstructed or prolonged labor, contributing to maternal morbidity and death (6,7). Infants born to adolescent mothers also face elevated health risks, and girls are vulnerable to domestic violence, especially in communities where patriarchal norms and male dominance are deeply rooted (8–10).

However, suppose stakeholders across all levels commit to addressing this issue collaboratively. In that case, Kenya has the potential to effect meaningful change and foster communities in which more young people, especially girls, can access education and thrive. This situational analysis provides contextual information to the implementation research team working on supporting adolescent girls for ending
child forced marriage in Turkana, Kenya project to inform their work in generating evidence for stronger programming, community action, and policy engagement in Turkana County.