By KT Reporter
Pader District has recorded 3,431 teenage pregnancies among girls aged 15–19 over 18 months, according to first antenatal care (ANC) data from health facilities between June 2023 and July 2024. The statistics, released by the district’s community development office, highlight a persistent crisis affecting girls’ education, health, and future opportunities.
Festo Okidi, the Pader District Community Development Officer, expressed concern about the role of parents in addressing the issue. “The major concern lies within respective homes. Parents need to actively guide their children and work with village chairpersons to tackle the issue,” Okidi said.
Okidi pointed out that the district has strategies like the “Fifteen Household Clusters Model”—a community-based initiative aimed at engaging households in discussions to rehabilitate youth—but its implementation has been delayed due to funding constraints. “The district is not doing much to curb the vice; the responsibility rests with the parents,” Okidi added.
The ANC data revealed disparities across health facilities in the district. Pajule Health Centre IV recorded the highest number of visits, with 444 teenage girls seeking care. Acholi-Bur Health Centre III and Atanga Health Centre III followed with 282 and 277 visits, respectively.
However, some health centers, such as Okinga Health Centre III and Amilobo Health Centre II, reported no visits, suggesting barriers like limited community outreach, inadequate infrastructure, and cultural challenges that hinder access to maternal health services.
The data also showed an increase in ANC visits at Pajule Health Centre IV, which recorded 265 visits in 2024, compared to 179 the previous year. Okidi speculated this rise might reflect both increased awareness of ANC services and a higher rate of teenage pregnancies. “This shows the importance of strengthening community outreach and healthcare services,” he said.
Ms. Janet Lapat, Coordinator for LM International in Pader, an organization working against teenage pregnancies, attributed the rise in teenage pregnancies to several socioeconomic factors. “Some parents prioritize alcohol over school fees, forcing girls into survival tactics like relying on sugar daddies, which often results in pregnancies,” she explained. Lapat also highlighted the lack of access to sanitary products, which forces girls to turn to older men for money.
“Drug abuse is a major factor affecting both the parents and the teenagers,” she said. LM International has trained over 800 girls and 200 boys under its “Bonga Project,” designed to equip them with skills and knowledge to make informed decisions. “We need more affirmative actions to empower both girls and boys with the education and resources they need,” Lapat stressed.
Pajule Town Council, one of the most affected areas, has seen a significant rise in teenage pregnancies. Tito Okello Brilliant, the Urban Chairperson, acknowledged the gravity of the situation. “Teenage pregnancies in Pajule stem from moral degeneration, bad peer influence, and exposure to risky behaviors like attending night discos,” Okello said.
Pajule has registered over 500 young mothers, and efforts are underway to provide vocational training to help them acquire skills to improve their livelihoods. “We have programs to support these girls, but they must take these opportunities seriously to transform their lives,” Okello added. He also discussed a draft Child Protection Ordinance designed to address the root causes of teenage pregnancies, though it has yet to be implemented.
Addressing teenage pregnancies requires a multi-faceted approach, including improved healthcare access, reproductive health education, and community involvement. Okidi emphasized, “Parents must monitor their children closely to prevent unnecessary pregnancies.” Lapat also stressed the need for greater access to family planning services: “Reproductive health education is critical.”
With a comprehensive approach that includes community education, improved healthcare, and vocational training, the district can create a more promising future for its young women. “We must act now, or we risk losing a generation of young girls,” Lapat warned-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
