NCPD Takes Lead in Championing a Five-Year Reproductive Health for Girls Empowerment Programme
Nairobi 26th February 2026…. The National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) is spearheading a transformative five-year reproductive health and girls’ empowerment programme designed to strengthen systems and expand opportunity for adolescent girls across Kenya.
Implemented in partnership with Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK), the Ministry of Health (MoH), and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), the Her Health Kenya Project places government leadership at the center of sustainable reform.
“Every girl in Kenya today needs systems that work for her — systems that address her health without compromising who she is or where she comes from, and systems that do not force her to choose between staying in school and seeking care” noted Dr. Mohamed Sheikh, Director General, NCPD.
In the counties of Samburu, West Pokot, Garissa, Tana River, and Homa Bay, girls face persistent inequalities, including limited access to quality health care, disparities in education, harmful cultural practices, poverty, and inadequate youth-friendly reproductive health services. These challenges manifest in high rates of teenage pregnancy, maternal complications and deaths, new HIV infections, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, and unmet need for family planning.
The programme aligns with NCPD’s mandate of providing policy leadership on population and development, coordinate implementation, and ensure that demographic dynamics align with sustainable national growth.
The Kenya National Population Policy for Sustainable Development underscores that fertility is central to population dynamics, and adolescent fertility in particular undermines socio-economic progress. Teenage pregnancy contributes to school dropout, fuels intergenerational poverty, and weakens national productivity.
Speaking during the launch in Nairobi, Dr. Mohamed Sheikh, Director General, NCPD emphasized the Council’s commitment to long-term systems reform.
“This is not a short-term intervention,” said Dr. Sheikh. “The Her Health Kenya Project is a deliberate systems transformation effort aligned with our national population priorities. Kenya’s demographic dividend will only be realized if we invest intentionally in adolescent girls today. When we reduce adolescent fertility and keep girls in school, we strengthen families, communities, and the nation.”
Dr. Sheikh noted that the initiative directly advances NCPD’s four Key Result Areas: policy leadership and advocacy; coordination and partnerships; research and evidence-based planning; and resource mobilization and sustainability.
“Sustainability requires ownership, ownership requires alignment, and alignment requires coordination,” he added. “We are ensuring that counties align their development plans with national population goals, and that decisions are driven by credible data — not assumptions.”
The initiative was developed in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, particularly the Division of Reproductive and Maternal Health, alongside county governments and key stakeholders.
Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General for Health reaffirmed the government’s commitment to adolescent health.
“Adolescent reproductive health is a national development priority,” said Dr. Amoth. “High rates of teenage pregnancy, maternal complications, HIV infections, and gender-based violence require coordinated, evidence-based responses. This partnership strengthens county health systems to deliver quality, youth-friendly services and ensures that no girl is left behind.”
He emphasized that aligning national policy direction with county-level implementation is critical to achieving measurable reductions in maternal mortality and morbidity.
For civil society partners, the programme reflects trust in government systems and a shared commitment to reform.
Dr. Nelly Munyasia, Executive Director of Reproductive Health Network Kenya, underscored the importance of collaboration.
“Girls in Samburu, West Pokot, Garissa, Tana River, and Homa Bay deserve access to stigma-free, quality reproductive health services,” said Dr. Munyasia. “By working hand in hand with NCPD and the Ministry of Health, we are strengthening systems that will endure beyond project cycles. This is about empowering girls with information, services, and agency to shape their own futures.”
In a context of declining partner funding, NCPD is intensifying domestic resource mobilization and exploring innovative financing mechanisms to protect gains in sexual, reproductive, and maternal health.
Through its ongoing partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), including the Women X initiative launched last year to amplify women’s leadership across Africa, Kenya continues to position itself as a regional leader in advancing reproductive health and gender equality.
The Her Health Kenya Project builds on that momentum by embedding reform within government systems at national and county levels.
This five-year programme reaffirms NCPD’s leadership in ensuring that every girl in Kenya has the opportunity, protection, and support she needs to thrive.
NCPD Director General Dr. Mohamed Sheikh, (Right) flanked by Dr. Nelly Munyasia, Executive Director RHNK fields questions from the media during the launch of Her Health Programme in Narobi.
Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General for Health delivers his speech during the launch of Her Health Project spearheaded by NCPD and other partners.
Ms Lucy Kimondo, Director, Public Education and Advocacy at NCPD following the proceedings during the launch of Her Health Project
The Population Choir from NCPD was at hand to entertain guests with population messages themed around Her Health Project and its benefits.
