Hundreds of girls from Kibera, Kajiado, Homa Bay, and Nairobi’s informal settlement turned up for the fifth edition of the Annual Girls Assembly in Nairobi last week with a rallying call on the need to end sexual harassment and grooming among schoolgirls.
The assembly was organized by Homa Bay’s Polycom Girls, a Pan-African feminist, women-led organisation based in Kenya with this year’s theme being “Legacy in Motion: Her Voice, Her Power, Our Future.”
Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) held discussions on social justice, gender equality, leadership, and innovation, transforming the space during the two-day annual flagship event.
Having worked with Kenyan girls for more than 20 years, especially in informal settlements, Polycom Girls (previously Polycom Development Project) is still in the forefront of innovative interventions that give girls a voice and break down socio economic barriers.
Through intergenerational discussions, storytelling, art, urban carnivals, and innovation challenges, the event gave girls the confidence to envision and build a just future.
Although Kenya has made significant strides in its gender agenda, schoolgirls are nonetheless at risk for sexual exploitation, grooming, and exclusion from decision-making.
Early pregnancies, violence, and lack of meaningful engagement continue to threaten their future.
“When you see a 10-year-old pregnant, it means grooming has been happening,” stated Hon. Millie Odhiambo, MP for Suba North.
“Events like this are changing lives by giving girls tools and confidence to speak out and lead. This Assembly serves as both a celebration of resilience and a strategic call to action showcasing why Kenya must institutionalize girl-centered spaces across all counties.” MP Millie continued
Wendy Aura, Programs Manager at Polycom Girls, says,”This assembly is about honouring the journey, amplifying girls’ voices, and preparing them to take up leadership in every sphere, not just reflection.”
She emphasized intentional leadership building in both Nairobi and Homa Bay, where girls are now engaging with global platforms like Beijing+30, SDGs, and the Gender Equality Forum (GEF).
Notably, the Femin spire Innovation Challenge, a youth-led initiative birthed from this Assembly, gives young mothers and girls opportunities to pitch community impact ideas and receive funding. Jane Anyango, Founder and Director of Polycom Girls, noted,
“Girls have moved from silence to strength—mentored by women who walked before them, and now innovating for their futures.”
The event also marked a growing collaboration with organizations like Daraja Letu Foundation, whose Founder Rachelle Ouko announced a six-month mentorship program for newly elected AGYW leaders in the Polycom space.
She urged CSOs to break silos and build stronger coalitions. “We cannot fight grooming, sexual harassment, and violence in informal settlements alone.
Through the I Matter campaign and Resolution 1325, we’re building voices that influence women, peace, and security agendas,” she said. Emerging Girl Leaders Speak
Newly elected She Leads Representatives, Stacy Akinyi (Nairobi County) and Nancy Akinyi Ochieng (Homa Bay County), shared their visions for inclusive leadership that prioritizes climate action, mental health, unity, and entrepreneurship. “This is a dream come true,” said Stacy. “When I leave this role, I want to be remembered as the leader who delivered what she promised.” A Model to Emulate Nationally
The Girls Assembly is not a one-time event. It is a movement—and it is working.
It redefines leadership by putting girls in the driver’s seat and builds a sustainable pipeline of confident, capable young women ready to take up space.
We call upon county governments, educational institutions, and CSOs across Kenya to replicate and support such spaces, ensuring no girl is left behind due to grooming, exploitation, or exclusion.
