By The PPH Foundation
Across Kenya, a new generation is stepping forward to confront one of the most stubborn threats to maternal health, postpartum haemorrhage. With young people making up more than 70 per cent of the population, their role in shaping safe motherhood is becoming increasingly urgent and impossible to ignore. From community education to blood donation, digital advocacy, and support for pregnant peers, youth-led initiatives are emerging as a powerful force in reducing the burden of PPH.
Experts say empowering young people with accurate information and leadership opportunities is not simply helpful; it is essential. Professor Ann Kihara, a Co-Lead at the End PPH Initiative, a project of the PPH Foundation in collaboration with the University of Nairobi, the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society and the Kenya Midwives Association, says that engaging youth in maternal health is one of the most strategic investments any country can make. She notes that early knowledge about danger signs prepares future parents, strengthens communities, and increases the likelihood that complications like PPH are identified and acted upon quickly.
One of the strongest contributions young people are making is through blood donation. Kenya’s national blood supply remains below recommended levels, leaving many mothers vulnerable when severe bleeding occurs during or after childbirth. Youth groups across universities and colleges have become the largest pool of voluntary donors, often organising campus drives during exam weeks, sporting events, and social festivals. These donations are lifesaving, particularly for PPH, where rapid transfusion can determine whether a mother survives.
Beyond blood, young people are reshaping how maternal health information spreads. Social media campaigns, youth-led community dialogues, and digital storytelling are helping debunk myths about childbirth, highlight the urgency of PPH, and encourage families to act fast when complications arise. Many are using TikTok, Instagram and community radio to share quick, clear messages about early danger signs, birth preparedness, and where to seek help. These messages often reach audiences that traditional health communication fails to engage.
Youth involvement also plays a critical role in reducing delay at home, the first of the well-known Three Delays that contribute to high maternal deaths. When young women and men understand the seriousness of heavy bleeding after childbirth, they become powerful advocates within their families. They help pregnant relatives get to facilities early, encourage completion of antenatal appointments, and speak up when danger signs appear. This social support creates a ripple effect that strengthens entire communities.
Professor Moses Obimbo, the End PPH Initiative Project Lead, says youth engagement is the missing link that Kenya must now fully embrace. He notes that young people, with their energy, creativity, and digital reach, are capable of shifting the national mindset on maternal health faster than any other group.
As Kenya pushes toward reducing maternal deaths, the participation of young people is no longer optional. They are blood donors, advocates, communicators, future parents, and first responders within households. Their voice, visibility, and action hold the potential to dramatically improve outcomes for mothers facing PPH. Youth are not just supporting safe motherhood, they are becoming its frontline champions.
Sources
World Health Organisation, Maternal mortality global data
Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service, annual blood donation trends
UNFPA Kenya, Youth in reproductive health
FIGO expert commentary on youth engagement in maternal health