High teen pregnancy rates being addressed – Lawrence

…creating sexual and reproductive health policy

By Rupadai Seenaraine

In keeping with the recommendations that were made by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the successful reintegration of teenage mothers into the formal school system via multisectorial partnerships, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence has announced several activities that the Ministry has been involved in to address these issues.
Speaking with Guyana Times on Wednesday, Minister Lawrence highlighted that there have been efforts between the two Ministries – Public Health and Education – to spread more awareness and increase the number of teenage mothers back into the school to complete their formal education programmes.
She explained that officials from the Education Ministry have been stationed at the Adolescent Health Department where the issues surrounding the policy are being dealt with. Additionally, it was related that a new policy is in the making which will focus on sexual and reproductive health. This was done so as to ensure that teenagers are aware of the circumstances and is hoping to reduce the cases of pregnancies in young girls.
“With regards to collaboration, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education is working at our Adolescent Health Department on the issues and policies. We are now looking at the sexual and reproductive health policy and the Ministry of Education is a part of that team that is looking at that policy and strategies and plans. I’m extremely happy about that,” she said.
The Minister also highlighted that she is cognisant of the high rates of adolescent mothers in today’s society and these partnerships will ensure that the policy is easily implemented.
“I’m elated that Guyana has taken this high position. This is one of the issues with several women’s organisations groups, we have been fighting for to ensure that these young ladies, who may have made a mistake but they must be able to be given an equal opportunity to enhance themselves and the lives of their child,” the Minister explained.
Earlier this month, UNICEF completed their analysis on a policy which will see the reintegration of teenage mothers into schools.
Some of the other recommendations that were made included that the counselling programme be strengthened in the schools system and annual programme be provided for these teachers.
Suggestions were also made for the policy to be reviewed every four years to coincide with the Education Strategic Plan. There, reviews and recommendations would be made for the application and administration of the policy to a reintegration committee, which will be spearheaded by the Education Ministry.
This was in light of the fact that in 2015, studies indicate that some 3712 girls were reported pregnant while in 2016, a total of 3032 were recorded. In both cases, the age range was between 15 to19 years. That accounts to more than 6000 cases in just two years, which placed Guyana at second ranking on the list of the teenage pregnancy cases in the Caribbean and Latin America.
For 2015 and 2016, more than 6000 adolescent mothers were reported, placing Guyana at second on the list for the Caribbean and Latin America.