This archive report was first published on 20 June 2020.
As the country grapples with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, a disturbing trend has emerged: a surge in teenage pregnancies. According to the Kenya Health Information System, Machakos County alone reported 3,964 cases in the last five months, with an average of 28 girls becoming pregnant every day.
The situation is even more alarming when considering the potential long-term consequences. Experts warn that the pandemic may lead to a further strain on the healthcare system, resulting in a shortage of contraceptives and other critical reproductive materials. This could exacerbate the problem, with a scary projection of 15 million additional unintended pregnancies globally, many of which are likely to occur among teenage girls in Africa.
So, what can be done to stem the tide of teenage pregnancy? The answer lies in a candid conversation between parents, teachers, and teenagers on sex, as well as the government providing economic support to needy families. The government must also uphold the rights of young girls to age-appropriate sexuality education and provision of sexual and reproductive health services, including contraceptives, in line with the Maputo Protocol and other enabling laws.
Furthermore, the authorities and stakeholders must consider programs on how parents can safely address topics on sexuality with their children as a way of mitigating the problem. This includes extending sexual and reproductive health services to adolescents and young people, with proper awareness campaigns and clear guidelines on how and where they can access the services.
Ultimately, the root cause of our shortcomings is poverty. The government must institute robust socioeconomic policies that will support vulnerable households in its post-COVID-19 recovery plan. Without this, all other interventions will just be scratching the surface.
Joseph Odongo is a communications expert and comments on social and political issues. Email: Twitter: @makodongo2
