Closure Of Schools Has Caused An Increase In Teenage Pregnancies – Activists

Posted by: Suubi Anne in Uganda news October 11, 2021

Activists under the umbrella National Youth Advocacy Platform(NYAP) have blamed the increase in teenage pregnancies on the closure of schools.

NYAP chairperson, Crispin Mutehimbwa Kakuba says much as teenage pregnancies were there when schools were open, it has now become worse.

“The Covid pandemic and the resultant closure of schools has resulted into the girl child especially in rural and peri-urban communities engaging in uninformed sexual conduct. The closure of schools as a measure to get rid of the spread of Covid exposed children to people with bad intentions to take advantage,” Mutehimbwa said.

Peter Kato, a worker at Kawaala Teenage Centre says schools are safer for children. Apparently, parents fear talking to their children about sex but teachers always do have these talks with students.

“Schools were safety networks to protect children from all forms of dangers including pregnancies. When the lockdown set in, the young people had a lot of redundant time at home. Many parents lack communication skills to talk to their children. It is the reason many children are pregnant not to strangers but people already known to them.”

Therefore, the activists are urging the government to come up with a work plan. This would help children get busy as schools are yet to open.

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