STRIDES for Change: Where Community Voices Become the First Steps to Lasting Impact

By Mwanakombo Hassan

“Tunawezaje kujua hali za mabinti zetu kama hatuzungumzi kwa uwazi kuhusu afya na ustawi wao?”

(“How do we truly know how our daughters are doing if we don’t talk openly about their health and well-being?”)

This question set the tone for recent community entry meetings in Baolala and Lango Baya, Malindi Sub County, where community members came together to discuss the realities affecting the health and wellbeing of women, girls, and families. More than introducing a new project, the meetings created space for honest conversations, reflection, and shared responsibility, recognising that meaningful change begins by listening.

Bringing together local residents, the area Assistant Chiefs, the health facility in-charge and the Moving the Goalposts (MTG) team led by STRIDES Coordinator Alice Tama and Project Officer Fathime Tibu, the meetings encouraged open dialogue rather than one-way presentations. Participants were invited to share their experiences, identify challenges, and contribute ideas that will help shape future interventions.

As discussions unfolded, women spoke about the long distances they travel to access maternal healthcare, with some admitting that these challenges sometimes lead families to opt for home deliveries. Others shared concerns about maternal mortality, low birth weight among newborns, and the uncertainty surrounding pregnancy and childbirth.

The conversations also highlighted the continued prevalence of gender-based violence and limited awareness of referral pathways available to survivors. Many participants acknowledged that they did not know where survivors could seek timely medical, legal, or psychosocial support. At the same time, myths and misconceptions surrounding family planning continue to influence decisions within households, underscoring the need for accurate information and community education.

One of the strongest themes to emerge was the need for greater communication within families. Mothers explained that they often guide their daughters through adolescence, menstruation, and sexual health on their own, while fathers admitted they rarely participate in these conversations or accompany their partners to antenatal clinics. Participants linked these communication gaps to the growing concern of teenage pregnancies, recognising that many young people navigate adolescence without the guidance and support of both parents.

Amid these reflections, one voice resonated strongly. A local Imam reminded participants that leadership within the family goes beyond authority.

“Baba ni kiongozi wa familia, lakini lazima awe karibu na mke na watoto wake.”

“A father is the leader of the family, but he must remain close to his wife and children.”

His message encouraged fathers to embrace positive parenting by creating homes where wives and daughters feel safe discussing their health, challenges, and aspirations. It was a powerful reminder that openness, compassion, and shared responsibility are essential to building stronger families.

These meetings were far more than project introductions. They created opportunities for communities to reflect on their realities, share experiences openly, and begin identifying solutions together. The insights gathered from Baolala and Lango Baya will help shape activities that respond directly to local priorities while strengthening community ownership of the process.

Launched on 12 November 2025, the STRIDES Project seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of women and girls by addressing barriers to sexual and reproductive health services while strengthening the community systems that support them. More than delivering services, STRIDES is about walking alongside communities, listening to their experiences, and co-creating solutions that lead to lasting change.

As one of the implementing partners, Moving the Goalposts (MTG) builds on its long-standing experience of empowering adolescent girls through football, education, mentorship, and community engagement. Through STRIDES, MTG strengthens knowledge on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), improves referral pathways, engages parents and community leaders, and creates safe spaces where girls can learn, speak, and lead. Together with communities and partners, these efforts are helping build healthier families, stronger support systems, and environments where women and girls can access quality healthcare, exercise their rights, and realise their full potential

As STRIDES moves from conversation to action, the voices shared in Baolala and Lango Baya remind us that sustainable change is built with communities, not for them. When people are given the opportunity to speak, listen to one another, and work together, they become the driving force behind healthier families, stronger systems, and brighter futures for every woman and every girl.

Join us in building communities where every woman and every girl is heard, supported, and empowered to thrive.