ActionAid International Uganda on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, held a Symposium to “End Teenage Pregnancy and Child Marriages” at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala.
The symposium, organised by ActionAid International Uganda in partnership with UNFPA, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, ran under the theme: “Translating laws and policies into appropriate support services for pregnant girls, child mothers, and their babies”.
“It will take a concerted effort to win the war against teenage pregnancy and child marriage,” said Xavier Ejoyi the ActionAid International Uganda, Country Director.
He said there are still many gaps in addressing teenage pregnancies which include social norms that don’t recognize children.
He added: “These should be looked at as children, not potential mothers or sexual partners. Let’s all play our part in protecting the girl child.”
At the symposium, stakeholders called for accelerated efforts to invest in youth especially those left behind.
In her speech, Hon. Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke, the state minister for Youth and Children Affairs, blamed increased cases of indiscipline among young people on poor upbringing and urged parents to spare some time for their children.
“We need to strengthen parenting through talking to our children about the happenings in their lives and how to overcome them,” she said.
According to her, some parents have left their children’s fates to maids and television while they spend most of their time working, away from home.
“We must help our children to secure a better future,” she appealed to parents.
On her part, Laura Criado Lafuente who represented the UNFPA country Representative, appealed to partners in the protection and promotion of girl child rights to prioritize the most vulnerable girls in all their programmes.
“It is our role to ensure that all girls are safe and secure. It is also our role to ensure that all girls go to school, get affordable health care and are free from violence,” she noted.
At the symposium, Fatuma, a teenage mother from the Karamoja sub-region, was allowed to share her experiences.
She told the audience that after getting pregnant, her lover abandoned her and the baby. She had to do odd jobs to raise the baby and even look after her siblings.
“Now, I have my own business and I have been able to look after my baby and my siblings,” said Fatuma who now makes traditional wear for a living.