Charity Worried Over Reports Of Teenage Pregnancies

The director of the Samaritan Strategy Foundation of Zambia (SSFZ), Pastor Charles Mambo, has expressed concerns over the continued reports teenage pregnancies being recorded across the country. 

Pastor Mambo said that even though the numbers are still relatively low, the trauma of teenage pregnancy can have a profound effect on many young mothers. 

He highlighted that girls who fall pregnant often fail to continue their studies and are at risk of attempting unsafe abortions. 

Speaking in an interview yesterday, the pastor proposed that Zambians use this week’s ‘International Day of the Girl Child’ as a platform for children to voice the challenges associated with teenage pregnancy and for stakeholders to listen to proposals for limiting it. 

“Reports being made in the media and at the law enforcement offices shows that the challenge is there and we need to do more, It is just my appeal to other stakeholders not to leave the fight to government alone, for it is everyone’s responsibility including the church to ensure that a girl child is protected in communities we are operating from through sharing of information on sexual reproductive,” he said.

Mr Mambo said that according to research by his organisation, the major causes of teenage pregnancy are lack of knowledge about contraception, sexual abuse, media influence an social survival skills.

He said the SSFZ had already lined up activities in various communities this week to highlight girls’ needs and drive efforts to fulfil girls rights.