Teenage Pregnancy, The Threat To The Economy

Teenage Pregnancy, The Threat To The Economy

Teenage pregnancy has become a threat to the economy. Experts advise that teenage pregnancy must be confronted head-on if we need to salvage the economy of our country.

The research which was conducted in 2019 November revealed that teenage pregnancies accounted for almost 28 per cent of all the registered pregnancies in the country.

Teenage pregnancies have impacted negatively the life of many adolescent girls who drop out of school once they become pregnant and even others opt to go for early marriages. Research has shown that here in Kenya many girls who drop out of school end up suffering whole those who managed to secondary schools end up on a path towards healthy and successful lives.

Teenage mothers and their offsprings especially those who end up getting married before completing school are more vulnerable to poverty and other economic challenges.

Teenage pregnancy is a clear indication of premature and unprotected sex which may expose teenagers to contracting STDs. The lives of adolescents even become more complicated once they drop out of school, unfortunately, get infected by HIV /AIDS and consequently become victims of gender-based violence.

The rate at which your girls are dropping out of school due to teenage pregnancy is wanting. The situation calls for collective responsibility to educate and protect our young women from people who may prey on their vulnerability.

The realize the vision of the country and improve the economy the nation needs educated young and productive boys and girls. Therefore teenage pregnancy needs to be addressed urgently to achieve the national objectives.

Accountability frameworks and policies must be put in place, evoked and respected if we are to save young girls from early pregnancies and prepare them to realize their dreams in future.

We must come out and challenge some of our cultural and social norms which contribute to about 60 per cent of teenage pregnancies in the country.

Bold and honest engagement between parents or guardians with young people on sex and sexuality to debunk the myths, misconceptions and shame that perpetuate ignorance, misinformation and resultant social ills will heal our nation.

Parents must also impress gender equality and protection of human rights to advance sexual reproductive health to ensure that the marginalised adolescent and young person in Kenya walk boldly in a bright future.