New approach needed to deal with teen pregnancy

Childhood should never be derailed by motherhood and therefore education is a major priority in combating adolescent pregnancy.

So said Steven O’Malley, UNDP Resident Representative, who was speaking during the launch
of the UNFPA State of the World Population Report 2013 at United Nation House last Friday.

“The aim of the UNFPA State of the World Population Report 2013 is to provoke a new way of thinking about and tackling adolescent pregnancy. The report argues that we must shift away from interventions that focus only on the girl and changing her behaviour towards broader bases.”

Everyday, 20 000 girls in developing countries under the age of 18 give birth. The report states that adolescent pregnancy should not only be seen as a result of recklessness or a deliberate choice, but rather as a result of a lack of choices.

“Adolescent pregnancy is a manifestation of inequity, poverty and powerlessness. It is not simply a problem of bad behaviour,” he said.

O’Malley also noted that there is a major problem of sexual violence which can result in girls under the age of 15 becoming pregnant. What is critically important, he stressed, is the creation and enforcement of laws which protect the rights and interest of girls.

The UNDP Resident Representative also made the call for boys to be socialised differently and taught to respect girls, thereby creating a situation where both boys and men can become a part of the solution.

O’Malley urged those present, including secondary school students, to give young girls who are pregnant support and not judgement. (RB)