Gender And Reproductive Health Expert Identifies One Way To Curb The Rising Cases Of Unwanted Pregnancy Among Adolescents
The ages 10 to 14 are among the most critical for human development, yet one of the most poorly understood stages of the life course.
Gender and reproductive health expert, Uzezi Ukah, says adolescent boys and girls should be better educated about sexual and reproductive health.
According to Ukah, ensuring adolescent boys and girls have basic knowledge of reproductive health would significantly help curb the rising cases of unwanted pregnancy among them.
The expert made the call in Gombe during a programme organised to commemorate the 2021 Day of the African child, noting that all stakeholders should focus on finding solutions to problems facing children.
Speaking further at the event where over 1,000 children from two local governments in Gombe – Balanga and Dukku, were educated about reproductive health, Ukah said the commemoration of the Day of the African child with the [rogramme would help government and parents to take responsibility for the reproductive health of the adolescents. Ukah said,
“Day of African child helps stakeholders and the government to focus on the challenges faced by children and finding solutions to them.
Here in Balanga, there is this fear in the minds of adolescents concerning sexual reproductive health.
Sometimes they are not even aware of the challenges they are facing. A day like this is to enlighten them about ways and means of going about getting help.
They will also know those they can talk to when they need help and the kind of help they can get in the community.”
He disclosed further that a mid-term review conducted by the Save the Children international indicated an improvement in how male partners of adolescent girls view the right of the girls to make decisions about their reproductive health.
He noted that while a previous survey showed that only 47 per cent of male partners of adolescent girls feel their spouse has a right to make decisions about sexual reproductive health, the figure has now increased to 54 per cent.
“Before now, 47 percent male partners of adolescent girls feel their spouse has a right to make her own sexual reproductive health decisions, but now it is 57 per cent.
“Also, 35 per cent of couples in the past reported shared decision making about sexual reproductive health, but now it is 64 per cent.
“Also, only 51 per cent of girls aged 10-14 were aware of the importance of safe spacing but now about 82 percent are aware,”
Ukah said.
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In his remarks at the event, the Vice Chairman of Balanga Local Government, Ezekiel Salamu, said the LGA has benefited from the programme, noting that more adolescents have become aware of the importance of sexual and reproductive health issues.
“A lot has been achieved about the reproductive health of adolescents in Balanga LGA through the REACH project. Both parents and adolescents have taken ownership of the health project. This has so far increased access to health facilities,”
Salamu said.
Also, Grace Samuel, the Executive Director of Kishimi Shelter and Care Foundation, while addressing stakeholders in Dukku town called for more support for children.
Samuel urged the government, philanthropists, caregivers, parents, teachers and civil society organisations to push more for the rights of children. She said,
“There is a need for government, caregivers and parents to take the responsibility of providing basic needs for their children seriously.
“They should provide food, clothing, shelter and a safe environment for the children to learn.”