Efforts to ascertain the real extent of teenage pregnancies at the grassroot level should be part of a joint push, according to Bungoma woman representative Catherine Wambilianga. Speaking to West FM during an interview on Sunday night, Wambilianga said the real figures of teenagers who have fallen prey to the scourge of early pregnancy isn’t known ,despite the estimated numbers that were floating around recently.
She said the estimates are not a true reflection, “This data is not conclusive…if more work and research is done, we’ll find more teenage pregnancy cases.” She said everyone from the village elders, County and national government should come together to analyze the real burden on the ground and find a way forward. She noted that school data can be used to trace the girls, at all levels and ascertain how they are fairing, “We can also know the number of those affected by using hospital records because the young girls go there whenever they are unwell.”
Wambilianga listed some of the reasons which have left young girls vulnerable and easily exploited, which include poverty-driving young girls to look for anyway to sustain themselves financially, lack of discipline and parental focus from parents among others, “Parents have now seen the crucial role that teachers play in the schools.” She said parents should ensure their children are occupied throughout the day while at home. However, she said parents and children all need to be engaged in talks, as a first step in tackling the teenage pregnancies menace.