ADJUMANI – As the desire to prioritise girlchild education remains a focal area of discussion, it is wise to empower and encourage girls to stir clear; engaging all stakeholders.
The incumbent Miss Africa and also Miss Uganda, Quinn Abenakyo has urged parents to endeavour to support their children to enable them to stay in school.
“As parents, you need to protect your children against vices like Alcoholism that can easily be passed onto them. Children are like sponges and they look up to you. What you do, they’ll want to do,” said Abenakyo.
The beauty queen made the remarks while addressing teenagers in Mayor’s Gardens, Adjumani where she addressed adolescents about the danger of early pregnancies.
According to the Ministry of Health, the teenage pregnancy rates are still high at 25%. This means 13 – 17 years are either pregnant or has a baby.
Quinn urged girls who have drop out to return to school and study in pursuit of their dreams.
She added that those who can go back to school, they can join vocational schools for hands-on skilling programs.
“If a girl happens to get pregnant while in school, it is not the end, give birth and go back and study so that you ably finish your education.
“Teenage pregnancy is dangerous, it will affect your education and lead to death sometimes. You need to avoid it” added Abenakyo.
This function was organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNEPA) as one of the events towards the world population day celebrations.
Mr. Alain Sibenaler, the UNEPA country representative revealed that the big number of adolescents are getting pregnant because there is too much need on family planning programs.
He also adds that they would like to avoid pregnancies but they don’t have access to family planning methods that would have helped them to avoid early pregnancies.
