Capacity Gaps among Youth-Led and Youth-Focused Organisations in Promoting Consistent Advocacy and Awareness of SRHR Services in the Informal Settlements of Nairobi, Kenya

Rhoune Ochako, Lagniappe
Mwende Mbondo, Population Services International (PSI)

Background: Adolescent SRHR has recently received substantial international attention. ASRHR is fundamental to social and economic development and the attainment of the SDGs. In Kenya, improving ASRHR is critical to the wider development agenda, as evidenced in the national ASRH Policy 2015, which seeks to address emerging health challenges faced by adolescents from diverse sectors including marginalised low-income communities. The Policy recognises the role of various actors including adolescents and CBOs in supporting implementation through championing ASRH interests, participating in ASRH research, policy formulation, dissemination, advocacy, and mobilisation of resources for the implementation of ASRH. However, the organisational capacity of the CBOs, especially youth-led and youth-focused in low-income settlements is not well understood. Methods: This was a quantitative study on organisational capacity gaps among youth-led and youth-focused organisations mapped in Kariobangi, Dandora, and Mathare using a standardised organisational capacity assessment tool. Results: Most organisations had documentation of mission and values. However, on average, were lacking in key Organization Capacity Assessment parameters with Audit and risk preparedness having the lowest average score. Conclusion: There is a need to build the organisational capacity of youth-led and youth-focused organisations in three settlements to become stronger advocates for ASRHR in their communities.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Population and Development

See extended abstract.