News reaching our news desk is that in Zombo District there is still a high rate of teenage pregnancy and it is a worry to curb the vice.
Last week, Wanok Patrick, the District entomologist caretaker shared the report with officials from the Ministry of Gender in the Zombo district. He urged everyone to work together to reduce the high number of pregnancies among teenagers.
Wanok also added that the most affected Sub-Counties are Atyak, Alangi, Aka, Zeu Warr and Paidha Town Councils respectively.
” The postal management information system recorded during antenatal management system is already 27.1 per cent and so far the worst as compared to the national standard which is 24.6 per cent” Wanok explained adding that this might be beyond if not controlled this year.
He has attributed that 0.5 per cent of the 27.1 per cent came from The Democratic Republic of Congo.
Sunde Alex Bashaija, a senior officer in the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, stressed the importance of implementing national strategies to reduce teenage pregnancies and early marriages. He explained that many young people who get pregnant become unproductive, so it’s vital for them to engage in activities that can help them develop skills and contribute to society.
Nickolas Odeba, the Zombo District education officer, attributed the high rate of teenage pregnancies to harmful practices and community attitudes.
Some participants focused on the need for better parenting and suggested that more training on parental responsibilities is necessary.
They also called on the government to pay special attention to Zombo District due to its chronic issues and the overflow of problems from the DR Congo.
Last year, several civil society organizations in greater Nebbi collaborated with Zombo District and Alur Kingdom to address the high rate of teenage pregnancies. However, the results have been limited, indicating that more efforts are needed.
