From Struggle to Strength: Zubeida’s Journey with Msambweni Queens

Zubeida didn’t have an easy start in life. Becoming a mother while basically still a child herself came with many challenges. But she hasn’t let her early pregnancy or the fact that she only attended school up to the third grade stand in the way of her hopes and dreams. Zubeida’s story is one of overcoming struggle through strength, resilience, and hope.

Growing up, Zubeida faced poverty that cut short her education. Lack of money for school books forced Zubeida to seek money from men, when she saw that friends of hers were able to afford to go to school through having a boyfriend. It was this relationship that eventually leaded to Zubeida’s first pregnancy at age 15.

For many years, making ends meet was a daily struggle. But everything changed in 2020, when Zubeida came across a local group that piqued her interest – the Msambweni Queens, an initiative giving girls in their community a voice since its establishment.

“My first encounter with the Msambweni Queens was educating people about early pregnancies and marriages at a clinic. Their work deeply resonated with me, and I joined them, believing the group could provide the support I needed.”

In Kenya, teenage pregnancy remains a critical issue, with approximately every seventh teenage girl between the ages of 15-19 being either pregnant or already a mother. This highlights the urgent need for community-based interventions like the Msambweni Queens.

Before the Msambweni Queens group was established, the community lacked a reliable source of information relating to sexual and reproductive health. Previous prejudice from people in the community labelled those with HIV as prostitutes, but since they have been educated, these harmful stereotypes are being eliminated; ensuring people can protect themselves and seek treatment without fear.

The Msambweni Queens, supported by DSW’s partner organisation in Kenya Youth for a Sustainable World (YSW), engage with the local community through dialogues and learning sessions, targeting youths aged 14 to 24. They educate the community on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), teenage pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Their commitment extends beyond teenage pregnancies, addressing other challenges facing young women and girls in Kenya, including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early marriage.

“We used to have cases of FGM, but such practices are rare nowadays. However, we still face the issue of girls being married off at a young age. As a member of the Msambweni Queens, I am committed to ending this practice. Most girls who are married off early are those who have become pregnant at a young age, and some are married before the age of 18.”

Despite her hardships, Zubeida is determined to create a different path for her children.

“I want to have a good life and provide a better life for my children so they don’t have to experience the hardships I did. I also want to change the lives of others in my community and make it a better place.”

Zubeida’s story is a powerful reminder of how grassroots movements and women-led groups can transform lives. Her journey with the Msambweni Queens is not just about overcoming personal challenges, but about ensuring that girls in her community grow up empowered, educated, and free to choose their own futures.