Nongovernmental Organizations: Advocates of Adolescents’ Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights in Kenya

Through a one-country case study, this essay analyzes nongovernmental organizations’ (NGOs) institutional work, ranging from legal to grassroots actions, to enforce adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health rights in Kenya. Within the rapidly shifting landscape in international aid and despite the difficulties of achieving internationally agreed rights and Sustainable Development Goals, NGOs continue to position themselves as key advocates for adolescents’ rights. NGOs’ multilevel institutional work has three main roles: legal advocacy and litigation, evidence generation and policy monitoring, and rights awareness-raising. This Kenyan analysis highlights NGOs’ actions, successes, and challenges in advocating for adolescents’ sexual and reproductive rights, providing valuable insights for similar settings within the region.