African men's demands for kids on rise

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Kenya: Parents Accused of Luring Girls Into Prostitution

http://allafrica.com/stories/200608070962.html

The East African Standard (Nairobi)

August 7, 2006
Philip Mbaji
Nairobi

An international NGO has accused parents in Kwale District of encouraging their children to engage in prostitution.

World Vision-Kenya officials said many parents in the district encouraged their daughters to indulge in prostitution with tourists and other clients for cash.

The NGO's Coast regional manager, Steven Makanga, said exposing girls to prostitution was denying them their rights.

Speaking during a prayer breakfast organised by World Vision-Kenya at a Mombasa hotel, Mr Richard Tankille, the NGO's Taru area development project manager, said some parents forced their daughters to drop out of school and engage in prostitution.

"Parents, especially mothers, have not supported programmes aimed at promoting education among girls," said Tankille.

He said cases of rape, child prostitution and school drop out were rising. He said World Vision would continue championing for the rights of the girl-child in Coast province.

Elsewhere, parents in Keiyo District have been accused of marrying off their underage daughters.

As a result, the district is experiencing one of the highest girl school dropout rates, and poor performance in national examinations, in the country.

Most of the affected girls are between 12 and 15 years old. Already, three teachers have been dismissed over the scam as education officials and police officers crack down on parents and teachers involved in the practice.

Keiyo District Commissioner Mabeya Mogaka on Sunday said they were also investigating claims that nine girls from one secondary school were pregnant.

Already, 18 girls from four primary schools have been confirmed pregnant.

"During our District Education Board meeting last week, one member brought this matter to our attention and I have ordered investigations," said Mogaka.

The meeting mandated District Education Officer Richard Cheror to probe schools to establish the extent of pregnancy among girls.

"We will get to the bottom of it. Those involved should prepare to face consequences," Mogaka said.