There is inadequate access to information and expertise regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) among youth in urban informal settlements in Kenya. The knowledge gap between SRHR information in these regions hinders efforts to address problems like unwanted pregnancies, infections, and maternal health difficulties among high-risk youths. It disproportionately affects young women, further escalated by the social and cultural taboos around discussion of sex and HIV. There is a need for youth-to-youth non-formal education and counseling, which ultimately leads to safer SRHR behaviors, as indicated by abstinence, being faithful to one partner, and the use of condoms.

Dance4Life is an initiative led by youth between the ages of 15 and 24 in the informal settlements through edutainment activities such as music and dance to help their peers develop more healthy behaviors and at the same time increase their knowledge and skills of SRHR and individual and peer-to-peer counseling. Dance4Life initiative will provide an avenue for youth counseling hence their ability to open up to some of the challenges facing them, particularly sexual abuse, making informed decisions about their sexual reproductive health, and addressing issues of GBV. This will revive the spirit of these youths, giving them authentic voices and roles in challenging SHRH issues.
The initiative will use a proven Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) model that uses popular youth culture, music, and dance as entry points to connect to young people and provide them with reliable information about SRHR, thereby increasing their ability to make informed choices about their health. To strengthen this approach, access to and availability of quality youth-friendly spaces and health services in the region will be strengthened. The initiative will deliver intense training through the highly motivational 4-step approach of Dance4Life (Inspire, Educate, Activate, Celebrate), delivered by peer educators and mentors to train and mentor young people both in and out of school through CSE.
The initiative aims to create an avenue for the youth to open up and share their stories to co-create strategies for reducing their vulnerability to HIV and AIDS, early pregnancy, and violence. The program takes a peer-to-peer approach working through young role models who will deliver peer education at a community level through existing youth groups to act as local leaders for initiatives centered on SRHR in their communities.

Involving young people in dance-based SRHR education goes beyond imparting knowledge; it is a transformative form of artivism that instills a sense of empowerment. It exposes these young participants to a deeper understanding of these critical topics helping them develop the confidence and skills to become community-based advocates. Dance4Life incorporates dance, which is a fundamental and cherished aspect of Kenyan communities, underlining its cultural resonance. It leverages an art form deeply ingrained in local traditions, ensuring that the delivery of SRHR information aligns harmoniously with the cultural values, practices, and beliefs of the population. This approach captures the essence of Kenyan heritage, while fostering a sense of trust and familiarity, making SRHR education more accessible and relatable to the youth. It empowers them to address the unique SRHR needs and concerns of their demographic, creating a sustainable cycle of education, awareness, and peer support that meaningfully resonates with them.

Dance4Life promises a range of positive impacts. It significantly enhances awareness of SRHR issues, contributing to the dispelling of myths and misconceptions while promoting accurate and essential information. This facilitates better decision-making and encourages healthy behaviors regarding sexual health and reproductive rights. The initiative also plays a pivotal role in reducing the stigma and shame associated with these issues, fostering open discussions, and nurturing a culture of acceptance and support. Addressing SRHR in a culturally relevant and inclusive way contributes to promoting gender equality, ensuring that women and girls have better access to information and healthcare services.
To expand this initiative, several key strategies can be considered. First, community partnerships with local leaders, organizations, and educational institutions would provide access to valuable resources, and logistical support in enabling broader implementation. Second, seeking support from local and national government bodies is essential to integrate the initiative into formal and informal educational programs and healthcare services, facilitating sustainable mainstreaming. Leveraging digital media for outreach can help reach a wider audience and generate greater awareness about the initiative. Additionally, implementing a robust data-driven monitoring and evaluation approach is crucial to measure continuous improvement and accountability of the initiative.

The implementation plan will begin by engaging the community by building partnerships with local youth groups, schools, and community organizations within the first month. This will involve organizing community meetings to introduce the initiative and identify suitable youth-friendly spaces for program activities. This step will initiate ownership and ensure continuity beyond the estimated timeframe of 8 months. Then, the project team will launch artivism sessions that will be regularly rolled out, embracing local culture and traditions, and ensuring these activities engage and resonate with the youth. It proposes to preserve culture through dance and create a sense of accountability and trust. These activities would rely on the CSE model conducted by trained individuals leveraging popular youth culture, music, and dance as entry points to connect with young people and deliver accurate information on SRHR while creating safe and supportive environments between the second and sixth months of implementation. This will create safe spaces for young people to openly express themselves, challenging existing stereotypes and biased opinions about SRHR. In the last month, the initiative’s effectiveness will be measured through a robust monitoring and evaluation system to track progress and impact by regularly gathering data through surveys, feedback, and community input. The feedback gathered will be critical in knowledge sharing with like-minded organizations with the purpose of scaling up the activity. The cultural and social taboos surrounding SRHR may pose challenges to project implementation. Mitigating this requires the active involvement of key stakeholders to demystify these barriers and encourage open dialogue.

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