Submission on the Right to Education in Kenya

Submission Overview

This submission highlights the barriers to equal access to education for transgender and marginalized youth in Kenya. Despite constitutional guarantees and international obligations under the ICESCR (Article 13), many students face discrimination, exclusion, and systemic obstacles to completing their education.

Key Issues

1. Discrimination in Schools

   • Transgender and gender-diverse students face harassment and bullying.
   • School policies often reinforce exclusion rather than inclusion.
   • Lack of gender-sensitive training among teachers and administrators.

2. Structural Inequalities

   • Disparities in rural vs. urban educational resources.
   • Limited support systems for marginalized learners.
   • High dropout rates among transgender youth due to stigma.

3. State Obligations

   • Kenya must ensure education is available, accessible, acceptable, and adaptable.
   • Current measures fall short of CESCR standards.
   • Insufficient monitoring of rights violations in educational settings.

Recommendations

• Implement gender-inclusive education policies nationwide.
• Train educators on diversity, equity, and non-discrimination.
• Establish accountability mechanisms for schools that fail to protect vulnerable learners.
• Allocate resources to support marginalized youth in accessing quality education.

References

• ICESCR, Article 13: Right to Education
• CESCR General Comment No. 13: The Right to Education
• Community-based evidence collected by Tranzuri Organization (2024)

“Education must be inclusive, equitable, and empowering — not a space of exclusion or fear.” – Tranzuri Organization