The Non-governmental Gender Organizations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) says it is deeply concerned with the increased cases of teenage pregnancies reported across the country which are reaching crisis proportions.
According to statistics obtained from the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) a total of 14,682 teenage pregnancies were reported of young girls between the age of 15 – 19 years between January and June 2022.
NGOCC Executive Director Anne Mbewe Anamela said apart from the fact that teenage pregnancies cause health complications and may have long term psycho-social effects on the young girls, the scourge withdraws them from school and perpetrates the cycle of poverty
Ms. Anamela added that these increased cases of teenage pregnancies are without doubt therefore becoming a national crisis that requires urgent attention.
“We as an organization that is concerned about the well-being of women and girls as well as the importance of ensuring that women and girls flourish to their fullest potential, are saddened to note the increased cases,” she said.