Rise in teen pregnancies tied to poor parenting
By KNA, January 12, 2023Authorities in Nandi have raised concern over the high rate of teenage pregnancies, early marriages and Gender-Based violence in the region.
County Director of Youth, Gender and Social Services George Ondong’a, in a recent report, said in the last financial year over 5,797 school going children were reported to have been impregnated. Emgwem and Aldai sub-counties have the highest number of reported cases attributed to poor parenting, poverty and lack of guidance and counselling from parents
Statistics from the Gender office reveal that Emgwen had 1,149 cases of teen pregnancies followed by Aldai 1,072, Tinderet (991), Chesumei (850), Mosop (840) and Nandi Hills (885).
Ondong’a stated that these were cases reported in hospitals during ante-natal clinics, adding that cases that go unreported could even be more, especially in remote areas where most people opt to resolve matters out of court. “Child pregnancy is still a major problem. We have information that many young girls are getting married in villages and give birth at home. This has forced school going children to drop out of school,” he pointed out.
Speaking in his office yesterday, Ondong’a said the cases have become rampant despite numerous campaigns against the vice.
He noted that collaborative approach and commitment are needed for partners to succeed in the fight against teen pregnancies.
-KNA