Peter Okello, the Dokolo District Probation Officer blames the rising cases of teenage pregnancy to poor provision of basic needs to girls by some parents.
At least 2,132 girls
between the ages of 13 and 19 got pregnant in Dokolo District last year, a
report released by Program for Accessible Health Communities and Education-
PACE, a local health non-governmental organization has revealed.
The data was compiled
from different health facilities in the district where the 2,132 teenage girls
went for their first anti-natal care.
According to the report, Agwata Sub
County registered 138 cases, Bata Sub County 335, Dokolo Town Council 281,
Dokolo Sub County 207 and Kwera Sub County 242 cases.
Kangai Sub County
registered 227 cases, Adok 192, Amwoma Sub County 175, Okwongodul Sub County
118, Adeknino Sub County 122 while Okwalo-ngwen Sub County recorded 95 cases.
Peter Okello, the
Dokolo District Probation Officer blames the rising cases of teenage pregnancy
to poor provision of basic needs to girls by some parents.
He urges community
members, parents, cultural and local leaders to always monitor and report cases
of teenage pregnancy to responsible authorities.
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William Ojok, the project officer PACE Uganda, says they are training
Adolescent girls and Young women to acquire skills.
He says the training will
help the girls to be independent and avoid temptation from older men who target
them for sex.
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He is however, worried about the rate at which some of the girls are dropping
out of school even after paying full tuition.
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Judith Amuge, the Dokolo District Community Development Officer- DCDO advised
the girls who may be experiencing gender inequality to approach the Community
Development Officer for help.
Ambrose Okai
Freelancer