WIDOWS IN KIBERA USE ALCOHOL AS AN ESCAPE

Due to numerous reasons including poverty, many women from Kibera Slums are suffering from alcoholism. Despite the many side effects, It has become a routine for ladies at the age of twenty-five and above to take alcohol during their daily activities. While some might take alcohol as a way of celebration and connecting with friends and family during fun moments, Women here consume it to relieve stress and help them forget about their problems back home. This is often due to lack of job opportunities and support from their husbands. Women in Kibera especially the widows are unable to cope with the never ending family responsibilities, and therefore spend any amount they get on alcohol to temporarily forget about their lives hardship.
The high level of alcohol consumption has led to an increased rate of death, blindness and dangerous diseases such as cancer, hypertension, blindness and traumatic injuries with young children left behind as orphans or single parented. It has also lead to the risk of unprotected sexual relations and high chances of women getting raped by unknown villagers around the community, leading to unwanted pregnancies. 
This has led to further spread of HIV/Aids around the slums and has left many children and neighbors taking care of children left without parents.

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