KAMPALA – Reports emerging on teen pregnancies and early marriages are skyrocketing in Uganda, as schools remain closed to contain the spread of the pandemic Coronavirus. As a result, young girls continue to face sexual abuse leading to teenage pregnancies.
Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has, therefore, come out to address this issue by calling upon the government to prioritize issues concerning the girl child amidst the fight against the pandemic.
According to Marie Stopes Uganda and government of Uganda data, there are about 360,000 teenage pregnancies (25%) that occur annually far from the Health Sector Development Plan (HSDP) target of 14% by 2020.
As a matter of fact, UPC is concerned about such development as it hinders the growth and development of the girl child as far as education is concerned.
During a press conference held at Uganda House, Kampala on Wednesday, August 12, the party Spokesperson Sharon Arach Oyat called upon the government to prioritize the issues concerning the girl child.
“The party has noticed that little has-been done to protect the girl child or even bring them to justice. We call upon the government to prioritize the issues concerning the girl child and institute the family inspection systems as it was alluded by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development,” said UPC Spokesperson Arach.
With the family inspection systems, the government will be able to protect the girl child especially during lockdown since it is the period in which many teenage girls are conceiving as a result of idleness.
