Scriptural Foundations and Moral Clarity
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
— Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
“O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination.”
— Surah Luqman 31:17
“Mtoto umleavyo ndivyo akuavyo” – Africa Religious Tradition
Preamble
Faith, Unity and Transformation
We, the faith leaders from Kilifi County gathered here today, declare our shared reflections, commitments, and aspirations on the journey toward shifting social and gender norms towards ending teenage pregnancies.
Recognizing that norms are deeply rooted in all our cultural and religious traditions, moral teachings, we therefore embrace this call with solemnity, with hope, and with a resolute commitment to action, for the sake of our county, country and the dignity of all humankind.
We affirm that shifting norms is not a secular invention; it is a moral imperative rooted in our faith traditions. Our approach is not secular but interfaith. We must not dilute our calling to fit into frameworks that reduce faith to neutrality. Our contribution is transformative because it is moral, spiritual and unapologetically values- driven.
We acknowledge that harmful norms have infiltrated our communities over the years and have led to harmful practices like teenage pregnancies.
Our Commitments as Faith Communities
We reaffirm our collective responsibility to contribute to shifting social and gender norms by leveraging our unique strengths.
We recognize some social and gender norms that are fueling teen pregnancies in Kilifi County include:
- It is not typical to discuss sex education with parents or with partners.
- Teenage pregnancy is shameful and the girl’s fault.
- Pregnancy means the girl must leave school.
- Girls should marry early and have children.
- Sex education is taught from a point of fear and shame.
Utilizing the different faith platforms we occupy, we commit to engage our respective communities – our girls, our boys, our parents, relevant authorities to shift social and gender norms to end teen pregnancies.
We commit to:
Advocacy and Awareness: Correct interpretation of religious texts, sensitization of the masses through radio talk shows, seminars, visitation of followers, cultural exhibitions.
Safe Spaces: Creating spaces for women, youth, and children to share, learn, and grow without fear or judgement.
Our Ubiquity: Leveraging our reach in communities to deliver education, health, livelihoods, and spiritual care.
Unity in Action: Building interfaith coalitions to confront harmful norms, and ending teenage pregnancies.
Accountability: Upholding transparency, integrity, and responsible stewardship.
Mobilization: Encouraging faith followers to take ownership of changing harmful norms.
Interfaith Collaboration: Focus on societal transformation in shifting the cross cutting social and gender norms rather than doctrinal division.
Intergenerational Dialogue: Facilitate open and deliberate conversations ensuring that children and young people and seen, heard and engaged.
Ethical Followers: Raise ethical citizens grounded in spiritual and civic values.
Conclusion
The Kilifi Declaration is a testament to our shared vision of a transformed and thriving Kilifi. We leave this forum with renewed hope, a clear commitment to action, and a determination to hold ourselves and our followers accountable in the journey toward changing harmful norms.
Signed in Unity, The Faith Leaders of Kilifi County.
