Overview

• Study of 297 participants across Mathare, Kisumu, Isiolo, Naivasha, Kilifi and Kalobeyei used focus groups, interviews and participatory mapping.
• Food shortages linked to climate shocks are driving rising school dropout rates and exposing young adolescents to transactional sex, gender-based violence and early pregnancy.
• Water scarcity and inadequate sanitation subject girls to frequent harassment and sexual violence at distant water collection sites.
• Lack of menstrual products and private facilities leads to stigma, school absenteeism and coerced exchanges of sex for supplies.
• Authors urge creation of adolescent-centered, gender-transformative programmes that blend public health, social justice and environmental sustainability approaches.