As Uganda joins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC), the country is grappling with alarming rates of teenage pregnancies.
Since schools were shut down in March 2020 as a measure to stem the spread of Covid-19, there has been a sharp rise in teenage pregnancies resulting from rape, defilement and forced marriages in all parts of the country.
Surveys conducted by private NGOs and other institutions all combined, place the number of teenage pregnancies at 50,000. Prior to the pandemic, the teen pregnancy rate was one in four teenagers nationally. Now, it’s nearly one in three girls in every village.
These teenage pregnancies have also been largely attributed to poverty, domestic violence, limited access to contraceptives, or the option of safe abortion among others.
According to Unicef, more than 60 million women aged 20-24 married before they turned 18. 10% of girls in Uganda are married before 15. 40% are married by the age of 18.
Uganda is ranked the 18th worldwide with regard to child marriage.
Politicians, human rights activists and the public say continued closure of schools is to blame for fuelling teenage pregnancies and other vices.
While speaking recently during the release of the 2020 UACE results at State House in Nakasero, First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, blamed the crisis on the poor upbringing of children and not the closure of schools.
“When our young people are getting married off while still children, it is a sign that the parent or guardian has not fulfilled his or her role in the upbringing of such a child. It worries me when I hear and read about girls dropping out of school. To me, this is a real issue that we should boldly confront as a society,” Museveni said.
She added: “It may be convenient to blame the state as a scapegoat, but the truth is that parents must play their role. The earlier this truth is realized, the better society will be.”
Today’s national celebrations take place at the Kololo ceremonial grounds and the First Lady and education minister is expected to preside over the event.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Digital Generation. Our Generation”.
