Youth perspective and the role of religion in accelerating gender justice

Young people have emerged as key advocates for social change and gender justice in today’s evolving world. We have witnessed Gen Zers engaging in conversations and demonstrations that advocate for equality for women and marginalized gender.

Kenya has a rich cultural and religious diversity and the role of youth and faith communities is important in shaping the movement for gender justice across communities.

As a driving force for transformation, the youth combined with the influence of faith-based organizations are challenging traditional norms and advocating for equality and inclusion.

However, despite these achievements, young people still face challenges by being told they have a long way to go and should not be so vocal about such issues. These challenges require innovative, up-to-the-minute and collective efforts from all sectors of the society.

“We need to empower religious leaders to become advocates for gender justice, Sexual and Reproductive Health and women’s rights through sermons and community outreaches,” says Rebecca Mayabi, the Sexual and Reproduction Health Rights (SRHR)& Justice Coordinator at Faith to Action Network.

“Inter-faith dialogue and collaboration is essential because it helps advance gender equality, inclusive communities and social justice consistent with one’s faith.”

Ruweda Mohamed, the Founder & Executive Director at Desire Youth Initiative, reveals that families in marginalized and economically challenged backgrounds use young girls to alleviate their financial hardships by marrying them off as a way of ‘securing social security’ of the poor girls, while the girl’s family receive dowry to fix her family’s immediate financial needs.

“Sadly, this has long term negative consequences to the young girls including limited to no education, risks of sexual and gender-based violence, female genital mutilation and other health risks,” she adds.

In today’s rapidly evolving world, youth have emerged as key advocates for social change. As a driving force for transformation, young people are challenging traditional norms and advocating for greater equality.

A critical element in this pursuit of gender justice is the role of faith, specifically how religious beliefs and values can foster progressive attitudes towards gender equality and empower the next generation to create a more just society.

According to Rev. Godfrey Owino Adera, a Priest in the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), Christians should confront patriarchy and capitalism in the society while providing comfortable social spaces for everyone, regardless of gender.

“As men in the society, we should use the privilege we have to nurture, protect and ensure the women and girls in our communities don’t suffer gender injustice,” emphasizes the man of God, adding that adolescents and young people find it hard to talk about sexual and reproductive health issues in religious spaces, something that makes them seek information from places and people who take advantage of them and mislead them.

Rev. Adera, who is also a lecturer at St. Paul’s University, says his interests in systematic theology and advocacy has made him interact with young people whom he opines, need a safe and supportive space that ensures the youth have a voice where every story can be told and believed without the fear of being judged.

The World Bank reports that Kenyan women enjoy 81% of the legal rights enjoyed by men, stating that this affects women’s engagement in entrepreneurship, parenthood and asset ownership.

“Young women often face discrimination in most places when they seek services; from school, the workplace and even hospitals,” says Sylvia Naliaka, a 23-year-old college student.

“I gave birth at 17, when I was still in school. But when I went to seek family planning services at a public health facility after childbirth, the nurse in charge told me that I was still young and they don’t offer contraception services to girls below 18.”

The mother of one says that early pregnancies and lack of or misinformation about sexual and reproductive health are obstacles in the way of young girls achieving their education and career ambitions.

“I am sure many Kenyan women would like to delay having children and/or getting married until they are financially stable and have made progress towards attaining their life objectives. Also, young women are more likely to be unemployed as compared to their male counterparts. You see? Gender injustice,” Sylvia says, shaking her head.

Faith to Action Network continues to foster change in communities by highlighting the power of religious stakeholders in shaping a more just society by taking actionable steps to actively champion compassion and gender equality.

In alignment with the upcoming International Women’s Day theme ‘Accelerate Action’, the organization emphasizes the need to empower faith actors and young people to challenge gender-discriminatory social norms and create a just society.