TEENAGE GIRLS’ SEXUAL EXPLOITATION MITIGATION AND COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY IN NYATIKE SUB-COUNTY, MIGORI COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The study explored teenage girls' sexual exploitation (TGSE), in Nyatike Sub-County, Migori County, Kenya. The general objective of the study was to investigate Teenage Girls’ Sexual Exploitation Mitigation and Community Sustainability in Nyatike Sub-County, Migori County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to: investigate the effect of socio-cultural aspects on teenage girls’ sexual exploitation and community sustainability in Nyatike Sub-County, establish the role of teenage girls’ empowerment programs on teenage girls’ sexual exploitation and community sustainability in Nyatike Sub-County, investigate the role of governance structures in teenage girls’ sexual exploitation and community sustainability in Nyatike Sub-County, and, examine the mediating effect of existing regulatory frameworks in mitigation of teenage girls’ sexual exploitation and community sustainability in Nyatike Sub-County. The study employed mixed-methods approaches. The sampling frame included: Secondary School teenage girls, school Principals, guidance and counseling teachers, Parents, Child Safeguarding Officers, clinical officers and Education Officers within Nyatike Sub-County, Migori County, Kenya. The Critical Theory, Feminist Theory, and Ecological Systems Theory were used to examine the causes of TGSE. The study target population was 400 teenage girls (13-19 years). The study’s hypotheses were tested by multivariate regression analysis. The study revealed that socio-cultural factors significantly contribute to TGSE (p