health

Dec. 10, 2019

LINEO MABEKEBEKE

2 min read

UNESCO ropes in media in curbing teenage pregnancy

UNESCO ropes in media in curbing teenage pregnancy

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TEYATEYANENG – UNESCO has called for the support of the media in broadening information dissemination on teenage pregnancy as a first step in fighting the rampant social ill.

The UN agency has engaged local media practitioners in two-day capacity building workshop at Teyateyaneng, Berea, on Early and Unintended Pregnancy (EUP) beginning Monday.

The training is meant to equip the media with skills to report on EUP and to promote the general EUP reportage on the media agenda.

Speaking at the workshop UNESCO consultant, Tariro Makanga Chikumbirike, said EUP was a global health public health concern, driven by multiple factors which include among others poverty, lack of information and access to reproductive health services, cultural norms and abuse.

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She said more is needed to be done to commit to ending early and unintended pregnancies, and that it was only by investing in girls that Lesotho will be able to create an inclusive society.

She said another mitigating factor for early and unintended pregnancy was education, “which is the most powerful weapon one can use to change the world.”  

Tariro further stated that early and unintended pregnancy among adolescent girls was also influenced by contextual factors at the individual, interpersonal, community and societal levels.

She also said the responsible ministries, of health, education and other stakeholders, working collaboratively can bring about sustainable change behind EUP prevention and response.

“While great strides are being made in improving access and retention for girls in the school system, policy implementation regarding EUP must be emphasised to ensure the continuation of girls’ education in a safe and supportive environment,” she said.

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