Educational challenges and diminishing family safety net faced by high-school girls in a slum residence, Nairobi, Kenya

In 2010, there was a slight decrease in the number of out-of school adolescents from 75 million in 2009 (UNESCO, 2009) to 71 million in 2010, of which 55% are girls (UNESCO, 2010). In Kenya, only 17% of girls have secondary education (CBS, 2004). This paper analyzes the role of families in girls’ secondary education in two schools within Nairobi province, Kenya. Data were obtained from interviews with adolescent girls attending Kamu and Lafama1 schools in Nairobi province, the dropouts, and a sample of teachers. Results show girls’ lives and opportunities were socially constructed and this permeated into the families, influencing the way parents treated their daughters. This further provided a fertile ground for sexual harassment that plagued girls within their own families. The Kenyan Government needs to influence women and girls perceptions, through increasing campaigns from the grassroots on the importance of being committed to girls’ education.

► Girls were discriminated upon, which stemmed from their sex and gender roles.
► Mothers ignored and lowered daughters self-esteem jeopardizing their education.
► Girls experienced sexual harassment within their families.
► Resilience among girls in school was as a result of significant others.
► Significant policy issues to be addressed beyond the free secondary education.