The "Talking Boxes" of Kibera

About this Activity

Polycom Development Project of Kibera is entirely grateful to Womankind Worldwide for the partnership in the production of this Evidence Report. We are extremely thankful that Womankind Worldwide supported us to give voice to the lamentations from our “Talking Boxes” project and contribute greatly towards breaking the silence in the cycle of violence and abuse meted upon adolescent girls and women of Kibera. We are very grateful to UNFPA Kenya team under the leadership of Dr. Ademola Olajide for their unwavering support that scaled up Talking Boxes to 50 schools from the initial 15 schools, and for enabling us to respond to the issues raised through the Talking Boxes and to mentor over 3000 adolescent girls annually on Sexual Reproductive Health and Life skills. Polycom Development Project is thankful for the unwavering support and co-operation of school management, staff and caregivers around Kibera, who invited us to their schools, listened and agreed to partner with us for the installation and operationalization of the “Talking Boxes”. This is the ultimate support that was needed in amplifying the voices of the girls at risk of sexual harassment and sexual abuse. We are grateful to guidance from the girls to strategically place the talking boxes in areas where girls consider safe and easy to access including in the girl’s toilets. This strategy limits data from boys however, the project has been engaging boys by educating them and equipping them with life skills.