“And what about the boys?”: Developing a boys’ puberty book in Kenya

From the moment we started meetings in Kenya, this was a common refrain. We heard it over and over again—boys do not get much support; boys need help too; what can we do to guide our boys?

 Let me back up.  In 2017, Grow & Know, partnered with Trocaire Kenya to develop a Kenyan version of our Growth and Changes girl’s puberty book.  That book was finalized in 2018, and 15,000 pilot copies are currently being distributed across the country.  

 From our very first meetings in Kenya, our partners were thrilled with the idea of the girl’s puberty book as it complemented national strategies and initiatives. But, nearly everybody asked, “…and what about the boys? They need guidance too!”

 We heard many times that although efforts were made to include boys, many of the newest resources about puberty and body changes primarily targeted girls. There was clear consensus that boys needed to be included in the puberty conversation.  In fact, when we went to the Government of Kenya to get approval for our girls’ book, they said that they would only approve the girl’s book if we would also develop a book for boys.

 We were (of course) completely on board with this plan, and so, in 2019, we partnered with the Kenya Sanitation and Hygiene Improvement Program and Amref Health Africa to bring the new boy’s book to life.  As with all of our books, we first had to acquire all the necessary government and ethical approvals, but then we were ready to dive head first into learning about boys and their physical, emotional, and social journey from boyhood to young adulthood.

 With the help of our enthusiastic Research Assistant, Titus Mulei, a champion for the health and well-being of adolescent boys, we started our research with boys to understand their experiences.  To ensure a range of experiences, we collected data in urban Central Kenya and the rural Coastal Province.

 We are so grateful to the boy who have shared their opinions, insights and experiences with growing up.  We are now reviewing the data, drafting the boy’s book content and collaborating with a local artist to turn this book into a reality!

 More updates soon!

Allie with some of the boys involved in our research activities