SAFETY AND A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT, ESSENTIAL FOR ADOLESCENT WELLBEING

Published by admin on February 15, 2022February 15, 2022

Adolescence is a critical period of formative growth that affects well-being across the life course. The transition to healthy adulthood is dependent on being safe and having a supportive environment to live and learn. In such an environment, adolescents are psychologically and physically safe from all forms of abuse and exploitation and their needs are met.

OAY’s Kisumu team held an engagement with pupils from Nyadundo Primary School, Muhoroni sub-county where they discussed safety and a supportive environment. The team guided them on how they can solve the issues they go through in their environments. The adolescents shared some of the problems they go through which in one way or another hinder them from living up to their full potential. Some of the issues they shared include, rape cases, peer pressure, poverty, insecurity among others.

Parents, guardians, peers, teachers, and everyone living around adolescents need to provide or ensure that adolescents live in safe and supportive environments for them to flourish and provide appropriate solutions to the problems they face. CSOs and the government ought to work together to come up with strategies that foster adolescent well-being.

Adolescents should also be free and willing to share their problems without fear of judgment or stigmatization. Giving them a voice and platforms to share their problems is one way of ensuring their well-being.

In conclusion, for there to be a safe and supportive environment for adolescents, communities need to play their part by ensuring that the people around adolescents are more of role models and supporters of adolescents’ well-being.

Blog by: ANGONGA VERA AWUOR.

SAFETY AND A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT, ESSENTIAL FOR ADOLESCENT WELLBEING

Published by admin on February 15, 2022February 15, 2022

Adolescence is a critical period of formative growth that affects well-being across the life course. The transition to healthy adulthood is dependent on being safe and having a supportive environment to live and learn. In such an environment, adolescents are psychologically and physically safe from all forms of abuse and exploitation and their needs are met.

OAY’s Kisumu team held an engagement with pupils from Nyadundo Primary School, Muhoroni sub-county where they discussed safety and a supportive environment. The team guided them on how they can solve the issues they go through in their environments. The adolescents shared some of the problems they go through which in one way or another hinder them from living up to their full potential. Some of the issues they shared include, rape cases, peer pressure, poverty, insecurity among others.

Parents, guardians, peers, teachers, and everyone living around adolescents need to provide or ensure that adolescents live in safe and supportive environments for them to flourish and provide appropriate solutions to the problems they face. CSOs and the government ought to work together to come up with strategies that foster adolescent well-being.

Adolescents should also be free and willing to share their problems without fear of judgment or stigmatization. Giving them a voice and platforms to share their problems is one way of ensuring their well-being.

In conclusion, for there to be a safe and supportive environment for adolescents, communities need to play their part by ensuring that the people around adolescents are more of role models and supporters of adolescents’ well-being.

Blog by: ANGONGA VERA AWUOR.