KENYA: Youths Raise Concern Following Spike in Teen Pregnancy During Covid-19 Pandemic
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
A section of youths in Africa are concerned about the surge in teenage pregnancy following reports given by different countries on the number of girls who have fallen victims of early pregnancy especially during this period of pandemic, calling for sensitization of teenagers.
“The pandemic has brought with it great sadness in most countries, Malawi inclusive. The fact that we are now on lockdown has become a reason why most girls especially in rural areas have become vulnerable to teenage pregnancy,” Ms. Lustica Simango member of International Young Catholic Students (IYCS), told AMECEA Online in an interview Wednesday, August 5.
“The number of pregnancies has greatly increased and this shows that there is great need to sensitize teenagers,” Ms. Simango a third-year student studying Internal Audit Generic at the University of Malawi narrated during the interview, adding that “responsible teams should be dispersed in areas highly affected to carry on the sensitization.”
Ms. Simango who had been a member of the Young Christian Students (YCS) in Malawi for five years before joining IYCS shared her sentiments after attending an online conversation for African youths organized by IYCS Africa and Kenya YCS on Saturday, August 1, saying that “sensitization will greatly impact seriousness in the fight against teenage pregnancy and will also empower girls who do not have the courage or power to protect themselves.”
She further appealed to parents to be concerned about their children, to advise them accordingly and guide them spiritually.
“Parents are supposed to be in the forefront as advisers. They should sensitize their children, ensuring they are aware of the importance of keeping themselves away from sexual practices. They need to keep track of their children’s whereabouts and also know their friends,” Ms. Simango said reminding parents of their responsibilities
“Spiritual support is also very necessary. Parents must teach their children the word of God and keep track on their spiritual life so that the children are not involved in ungodly activities when alone,” as she adds.
On her part, Ms. Flavia Khasoa a member of IYCS said in an interview, “Parental guidance is missing for some teenagers. And being that children have been home for so many months since the closure of schools, some have involved themselves in unhealthy relationships and the parents are not aware.”
Besides, the Kenyan-born student studying at Mount Kenya University acknowledged that some parents do not know their children well though some children are also stubborn to listen to their parents.
“I would say that we are not used to staying with our parents for so many months and, to some extent, our parents do not know us so well,” Ms. Khasoa disclosed adding that what has spiked pregnancy during this period of pandemic is “the absence of parents from the house.”
“Some parents leave the house in the morning and come back in the evening and we remain in the house alone having a lot of time and doing nothing. This has made most teenagers to keep themselves busy with other activities,” she highlighted and explained further, “it seems though that our parents are also tired of us. Some talk to us but we end up doing the contrary of what they have said.”
The online conversation brought together approximately 45 participants from Malawi, Uganda Gambia, DRC Congo, Zimbabwe, Niger, Kenya and Spain.
