The Swedish Embassy has observed that inequalities are the major drivers of early pregnancies in society and acts as a hinderance to economic development in the country.
Embassy Program manager for Health and Nutrition Audrey Muchemwa says data shows a seven percent early pregnancy rate among the rich and a 42 percent rate among the poor.
Ms. Muchemwa has noted the need for systems in schools that support skills development to help the economic growth of young girls to address the scourge.
She was speaking at a stakeholder’s Dialogue meeting dubbed let’s talk Campaign” discussing early and unintended Pregnancies.
Speaking at the same event, Ministry of Gender Assistant Director Namatama Chinyama disclosed that about the rate of girls getting pregnant between the ages of 15 and 19 is at 28.5 percent.
Ms. Chinyama says government has in place measures to address the challenge of teenage pregnancies in the country.
She has cited the Girls Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood Project (GEWEL) being spearheaded by her ministry.
Ms. Chinyama says the project is being implemented with two other ministries including the Ministry of Social Security, which is handling the Social Welfare component and the Ministry of General Education dealing with the education component.
And the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has highlighted the need to recognize the needs of young people as National Investment Priorities.
UNFPA Deputy Country Representative Leonard Kamugisha says the young are marginalized in Africa making it difficult for countries to develop.
Mr. Kamugisha says there is need to invest in current and future generations as young people are important for Development.