The problem within Nakuru County is high rate of teenage pregnancy. According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2021, 18% of girls in Nakuru aged 15-19 have begun childbearing. This is significantly higher than the national average of 14%.
The causes include lack of access to accurate information and services related to sexual and reproductive health and rights and Gender-based violence and harmful cultural practices.
My innovation aims to address this problem by providing young people with access to accurate information and services related to SRHR, as well as by empowering them to make informed choices about their lives.

My innovation is a comprehensive approach to addressing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) education through online platforms. It focuses on training SRHR facilitators and empowering them with the skills to conduct engaging sessions via WhatsApp groups. This innovative solution is designed to reach and educate young people effectively.
The core of this innovation involves the training of 10 SRHR facilitators who will work in pairs. These facilitators will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct one-hour SRHR sessions. These sessions will take place on WhatsApp groups, each consisting of 30 participants. The schedule for these sessions will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
The methodology employed for these sessions will be diverse, including interactive discussions, providing referrals for SRHR services, facilitating question and answer sessions, and even hosting expert opinion sessions. During these expert sessions, professional health providers will be invited to share their insights and address participants' questions, ensuring the provision of accurate and reliable information.
To enhance engagement and learning, various forms of content will be utilized, such as text-based information, photos, videos, and links to relevant websites like "Life Yangu" for additional reference and resources. This multimedia approach ensures that participants receive a well-rounded education on SRHR topics.
The innovation includes a structured progression plan. After a month of active participation in these SRHR sessions, participants will graduate, indicating their enhanced knowledge and understanding. They will also be encouraged to refer their peers to join and benefit from these informative sessions, thus creating a network effect and expanding the reach of SRHR education.
It leverages technology, expert opinions, and a referral system to provide young people with comprehensive and reliable SRHR information. This innovative model ensures that SRHR education is not only accessible but also sustainable and scalable.

Our innovation stands out due to its unique combination of factors. It leverages the ubiquitous WhatsApp platform among young people to make SRHR education accessible to a wide audience, especially in regions with limited resources for traditional educational programs. The use of multimedia content, professional expert sessions, and participant referrals enhances engagement and trust in the information provided.
What truly sets this approach apart is its grassroots, peer-to-peer model where trained facilitators empower participants to become advocates themselves. This network effect fosters community involvement and ensures sustainability, extending the reach far beyond the initial training. The ability to adapt and scale this model for different communities and regions makes it innovative and highly adaptable to varying SRHR needs and circumstances.

The potential impact of our innovation on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) is substantial. By training SRHR facilitators and delivering informative sessions through WhatsApp groups, we empower young people with essential knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about their sexual health. This translates to reduced rates of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and unsafe abortions, ultimately improving overall SRHR outcomes.

The model's scalability is a key strength. As the initial group of participants graduates and becomes advocates, they can replicate the model in their own communities, creating a network effect. With increasing demand for SRHR education, more facilitators can be trained, and more WhatsApp groups can be formed. The adaptable curriculum can be tailored to suit the specific needs of diverse regions and cultures. By leveraging technology and peer-to-peer learning, this innovative approach can be easily adopted and scaled in different contexts, ensuring that SRHR education reaches a larger and more diverse audience, thus positively impacting the focus area on a global scale.

Implementation Plan:

Key Milestones and Timelines:
1. Training Phase (Months 1-2):
Identify and recruit 10 SRHR facilitators.
Develop a comprehensive SRHR curriculum.
Train facilitators on conducting sessions and using WhatsApp for education.
2. Launch and Initial Sessions (Months 3-4):
Facilitators start forming WhatsApp groups (30 participants each).
Initial sessions commence, covering a range of SRHR topics.
3. Expert Opinion and Graduation (Months 5-6):
Involve professional health providers in expert sessions.
Graduation of the first group of participants, who are encouraged to refer peers.
4. Scaling and Peer-Driven Expansion (Months 7+):
Graduated participants form their own groups and become facilitators.
Continuous training and resource support for facilitators.

Necessary Resources:
• Financial: Funding for facilitator training, curriculum development, and access to multimedia resources.
• Technical: Access to internet and technology for facilitators and participants.
• Human: Qualified trainers, SRHR experts, and support staff to manage logistics.

Challenges and Mitigation:
• Digital Divide: To address accessibility issues, offer technology support, such as providing low-cost smartphones or data packages to participants in need.
• Content Reliability: Ensure all information shared is evidence-based, and regularly update the curriculum to align with evolving guidelines and recommendations.
• Privacy Concerns: Implement robust privacy policies to protect participants' identities and data, and educate facilitators on responsible data management.
• Community Resistance: Engage community influencers to build trust and support.
• Sustainability: Establish partnerships with local organizations.
• Evaluation

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