Financial Literacy Training Empowers Teenage Mothers and Young Women

A group of 15 teenage mothers successfully completed a vocational training equipping them with skills necessary for the job market. The training was supported by Polycom Girls through the Bado Binti project, which directly addresses youth unemployment by empowering young women to create opportunities for themselves through entrepreneurship and career development.

Jane Anyango, founder of Polycom Girls, said the Bado Binti Project supports girls and young women from informal settlements with an aim to end teenage pregnancies.“Bado Binti is a big dream, though we acknowledge that teenage pregnancies remain on the rise and child-headed households are a growing concern. Most of the girls are primary caregivers, making it difficult for them to enroll in training programs. Our goal is to continue expanding this initiative nationally to reach more young women in need,”added Anyango.

According to the Federation of Kenya Employers, Youth (15-34 year olds), who form 35 percent of the Kenyan population, have the highest unemployment rate of 67 percent. Over one million young people enter into the labour market annually without any skills some having either dropped out of school or completed school and not enrolled in any college.

Participants at the vocational training/photo courtesy

Mark Kidenyi, a financial literacy trainer from Equity Bank, emphasized the importance of financial empowerment.“Financial knowledge alone is not enough. We are equipping teenage mothers with entrepreneurial skills, ensuring they not only secure employment but create opportunities for themselves and others,” said Kidenyi.

David Odhiambo a grassroots financial literacy champion reiterated the importance of budgeting, saving, and financial decision-making as crucial skills to help the young women secure a stable future.“Teen mothers often suffer from social discrimination and trauma. The training opened their eyes to financial opportunities, helping them gain confidence and plan for sustainable businesses. Many thought their small earnings were insufficient for savings, but we demonstrated that developing a saving culture, regardless of the income level,is the first step towards financial independence,”added Odhiambo.

Lavender Akinyi, a teenage mother, applauded Polycom girls for spearheading initiatives that benefit girls and young women.“Many teen mothers experience isolation. I have faced rejection from my community as a teenage mother,”added Akinyi.

By equipping teenage mothers and young women with financial literacy, career readiness and entrepreneurial skills, Polycom Girls is building a generation of empowered women who can contribute to job creation and economic development.