A new report by the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) has revealed a concerning trend in Kenya: women aged 35-39 are more likely to initiate divorces than those in other age groups.
While the overall divorce rate is rising, this particular demographic stands out.
“Divorce and separation is slightly common among older women, though the phenomenon is generally low. The proportion of women reporting to be divorced rises from 1.1 per cent among 25 to 29-year-olds to 2.2 per cent among women aged 45 to 49 years.”
“The proportion of women reporting separation is highest in the age group 35 to 39 years at 5.2 per cent. Further, the incidence of divorce and separation is higher in the urban areas compared with rural areas.”
The Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2023 on Population Policy for Sustainable Development in Kenya highlights the persistent issue of child marriage, particularly affecting young girls, despite government efforts to address the problem.
“The prevalence of child marriage is higher among girls than boys at 23 per cent as compared to the boys at a mere 2.5 per cent. The prevalence of child marriage among girls in the country is 23 per cent (29 per cent in rural and 17 per cent in urban areas),” part of the policy reads.
NCPD terms child marriage as a violation of human rights since no consent is obtained from the young girls as parents, caregivers or other circumstances such as unplanned pregnancy, poverty and cultural practices like female genital circumcision often force it.
“Elimination of child marriages is critical for the achievement of the sustainable development goals relating to poverty, food security, health, education, gender equality, economic growth, peace and justice in the country.”
Improving life expectancy
On the positive side, Kenya has made strides in improving life expectancy, with notable reductions in child and infant mortality rates.
Life expectancy for men improved from 47 to 61 years and for females from 51 to 67 years between 1969 and 2019.
However, challenges remain, including high rates of communicable diseases and the impact of non-communicable diseases on the population.
To address the increasing demand for education bursaries, the government is exploring partnerships with the private sector to supplement existing funds.
The policy, approved by Parliament in October 2023, outlines a comprehensive framework to manage population growth, improve health outcomes, and enhance overall quality of life.
Key areas addressed in the policy include population size, age structure, fertility rates, mortality, migration, and urbanization. It also sets ambitious goals for maternal and child health, family planning, and gender equality.
‘Marital Status’ Most Common Platform for Gender-Based Violence
Khusoko is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest East African business news and updates. Stay connected on your favourite social media channels: Twitter |Facebook |LinkedIn | Instagram| YouTube
