The National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) has launched the G-Jali Microsite and Peer Educator Programme at Rongo University, which will train students to lead sexual health awareness initiatives on campus.
The launch, which coincides with World Condom Day, is an innovative new digital platform that aims to raise awareness about sexual health, condom use, and HIV prevention, specifically targeting students and young people across Kenya.
Deputy Director of Health Promotion and Capacity Development at NSDCC, Dr. Caroline Kinoti, highlighted the role of the G-Jali microsite in broadening outreach.
The event featured a vibrant G-Jali Microsite programme with educational workshops, live performances, and speeches from public health experts, marking a significant step in leveraging digital tools to spread sexual health awareness and make critical information accessible to a wider audience.
The platform also includes educational information on topics such as sexual and reproductive health, mental health, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and menstrual hygiene.
Kinoti said that the G-Jali programme was designed to engage young people through an easily accessible platform, where they can find important information on safe sex practices and reproductive health.
“By combining peer-led activities and social media campaigns, we hope to empower students to make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health,” said Kinoti.
Migori County Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coordinator Catherine Menganyi explained the significance of sexual health education in reducing GBV and addressing the triple threat effects (HIV, early pregnancies, and GBV).
Menganyi said that the G-Jali is a powerful tool for young people that will help to educate the youth on issues of GBV as well as promote healthier sexual behaviors.
Rongo University Student President Victor Apicha expressed his enthusiasm for the platform, saying that the platform will provide an interactive and modern approach to reproductive health.
Apicha noted that the platform will provide vital information needed to reduce the stigma around safe sex and create an open dialogue among students.
Meanwhile, HIV prevention expert Samuel Otieno stressed the importance of initiatives like the G-Jali in bridging gaps in sexual health education.
Otieno noted that the programme will provide easily accessible sexual health information in colleges to equip the youth on sexual issues in making informed decisions.
In the coming weeks, the G-Jali Microsite will continue to raise awareness through social media campaigns, community outreach efforts, and the ongoing distribution of condoms across campus.
Rongo University is collaborating with local health organizations to extend the campaign’s reach and provide students with the tools and knowledge they need to stay healthy.
According to Kinoti, the platform represents a significant step forward in the efforts of the NSDCC to create a healthier, more informed generation of young people and push the boundaries of sexual health education across Kenya.
Rongo University is our pilot phase and first activation of the G-Jali, and we intend to roll out in all 47 counties for the sake of passing the information to all the age groups, concluded Kinoti.
By Claire Atieno and Makokha Khaoya
