Demi Sawala

As we celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child, we must also remember Sween Awino, whose life was tragically cut short at just 15. The late Sween Awino With her whole future ahead of her, a teacher - someone meant to guide and protect her - betrayed that trust. George Ochieng Adede, rather than being her guardian, became a predator, defiling her and ultimately taking her life. Sadly, this kind of predation continues to occur in public primary schools, leaving many victims silenced....

While education is often heralded as a tool for empowerment and change, in some Kenyan primary schools it has become a setting for exploitation. Astonishing and as unbelievable as it sounds, little girls are being predated on by the very teachers who are supposed to protect and educate them. Some instances do get reported, but many go unreported, known only within the teaching fraternity. The stories below were provided by a member of the teaching fraternity who wishes to remain anonymous. In...