Speaker Anita Among appealed to parents and cultural leaders to halt the alarming trend of teenage pregnancies and child marriages, emphasizing that such practices perpetuate the harmful notion of viewing girls as commodities.
At the launch of the Parliamentary Forum to Combat Child Marriages and Teenage Pregnancies, where she assumed the role of patron, Speaker Among issued a clarion call to action for parents and cultural leaders, highlighting their pivotal role in combatting the scourge of teenage pregnancies and early marriages.
Drawing from her own experiences, Speaker Among shared that she narrowly escaped falling victim to these practices. She stressed the importance of girls standing firm against early marriages, urging them not to succumb easily.
Reflecting on her past, she revealed, “I personally experienced the consequences of this practice; unfortunately, the moment parents notice signs of physical maturity in girls, they deem them fit for marriage.” Recalling a critical moment in her life, she recounted, “I was on the verge of entering Primary Seven when I faced pressure to marry; I chose to leave home, worked as a domestic helper, and funded my own education.”
She attributed the rise in teenage pregnancies and early marriages to inadequate parenting and pledged her support to the forum’s efforts in raising awareness and promoting education for girls.
“Parenting plays a significant role in perpetuating early marriages and child pregnancies, but ultimately, it boils down to personal aspirations. Despite facing challenges, resilience is crucial,” she emphasized.
Expressing gratitude to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other partners for their support in combating these practices, Speaker Among emphasized the urgency of addressing parental and cultural norms that fuel the problem.
Hon. Ronald Olema Afidra (NRM, Lower Madi County), the forum’s chairperson, echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of offering opportunities for affected girls to return to school.
“We must provide avenues for girls to resume their education; they deserve the chance to grow into empowered women, not prematurely burdened with motherhood,” he asserted.
Ms. Laura Criado Lafuente, representing the UFPA Country Representative, pledged unwavering support to the forum, emphasizing their commitment to leveraging evidence-based strategies to combat teenage pregnancies and marriages using demographic data.
