Defilement cases in Migori County have greatly contributed to the alarming rates of adolescent pregnancies in Migori County.
According to Seth Mideyo, a Migori health official in charge of child adolescence health activities in Uriri Sub County, majority of the teenage pregnancies have been as a result of defilement cases.
Mideyo who spoke during a sensitization forum for girls at Kanyamkago Ward in Uriri Sub County also attributed Gender Based Violence (GBV) as a contributing factor to the high number of adolescent pregnancies that currently stands at 19 percent in the county.
He said that the ongoing 16 days of activism against GBV will help the community to create awareness of the negative effects of GBV that results in teenage pregnancies, new HIV infections, and child labour.
The HIV prevalence rate in Migori currently stands at 10.4 percent with Awendo Sub County leading among the Sub counties with new HIV infections among adolescents while Uriri Sub County has registered an 18 percent in adolescent pregnancies.
Mideyo explained that the Department of Health together with local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) will continue to sensitise the community to curb these negative vices that have become a burden to the majority of the households in the county.
The health official also acknowledged that there was a need for integrated services towards achieving zero teenage pregnancies and GBV in the county.
He disclosed that already the county was engaging girls of the right age in receiving contraceptive services and other health services to cushion them from new HIV infections, unwanted pregnancies, and early marriage.
“We want to sensitize our young girls, especially the school-going ones to be aware of their surroundings on the effects of GBV, teenage pregnancies, and early marriages”, noted Mideyo.
Uriri Sub County-Assistant County Commissioner Watson Hinzano pointed out that investing in young girls to empower themselves and become self-sufficient in knowing their rights on matters of GBV is a key milestone to societal behaviour change.
Hinzano affirmed that the local administration will continue to sensitize the community especially women and girls who are the biggest brand bearers of violence in society.
The administrator also urged the parents to take care of their young ones to cushion them from vices like teenage pregnancies and drug abuse.
Meanwhile, Ripple Effect NGO Official Rose Mwita elaborated that the organization has been helping the community through a sensitization programme in the fight against HIV, teenage pregnancies, and GBV.
“Our organization is currently focused on enlightening the girls and women during this December holidays on issues of GBV as we keep observing the 16 days of activism in the county”, said Mwita.
By Geoffrey Makokha
