The Iseguri Initiative, a Kadjebi-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has launched a new programme to educate stakeholders and students, especially, young girls on the effects of teenage pregnancy and early forced child marriage.
The engagement seeks to combat issues surrounding teenage pregnancy and early forced child marriage.
The NGO in collaboration with 13 smallholder women farmer groups, is focusing on climate-smart agricultural practices, climate justice, conservation agriculture, and advocacy programmes aimed at ending child labour in cocoa-growing areas.
Addressing students of Dapaa-Kukurantumi Primary and Junior High School (JHS) in the Kadjebi District of the Oti Region, Madam Jemima Etse, Programme Focal Person, Iseguri Initiative, said the initiative served as a wake-up call for parents to prioritize sexual education at home.
She stressed that educating girls could empower them to avoid becoming victims of these societal challenges.
Madam Etse urged parents to provide their children, especially, girls with basic needs so as not to fall victims with predators who lured them with items.
The Programme Focal Person also called on parents to foster open communication with their daughters, thereby creating a safe space for discussion about sensitive topics.
Mr Raymond Senanu Buami, Programme Co-ordinator, Iseguri Initiative, said one of the best ways to show love for children is by investing in their education for a brighter future, but not buying them expensive smartphones.
He said even if a parent should buy such device for children, he or she should enforce parental guidance to restrict access only to educational websites.
Mr Buami acknowledged that many young people now are negatively influenced by technology and social media.
He encouraged the young girls to take advantage of free educational programmes and study hard to pass their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) so they could pursue further studies and become Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, Journalists, among others.
Madam Melody Benuyena, a staff of St. Mary Theresa Catholic Hospital, Dodi-Papase and a member of Iseguri Initiative, said medical complications associated with teenage pregnancies; including low birth weight, premature births, placental issues, cesarean section and even the risk of infant mortality.
She said teenage mothers and adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable to a range of sexual and reproductive health consequences such as pelvic inflammatory diseases and sexually transmitted infections.
Madam Benuyena emphasized the need for reproductive and sexual health education for young people to help curb the problem.
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