BY JOACKIM KULE
Alliance for Children and Youth Uganda –A4CY-U says Bwesumbu sub-county in Kasese district has registered strides in minimizing the rate of early marriages and teenage pregnancies.
Bwesumbu sub-county, among other lower local governments in Busongora County North, has been grappling with a high rate of early marriages accelerated by increased teenage pregnancies and school dropouts.
According to Ms. Joviah Kabugho, the Executive Director at A4CY-U, at least 15 villages did not register any single early marriage in the space of one year. The sub-county has a total of 24 villages.
She opines that with a reduction in teenage pregnancies, the sub-county will likely also register an increase in the number of girls staying in school and completing basic levels of education.
With support from Girls’ First Fund, A4CY-U has been implementing a girls’ rights advocacy programme with an intention to contribute to ending child marriages in Bwesumbu sub-county especially in the villages of Kaswa, Maghasa, Kaghando, Nyakisewa, Kasangali, and Kyoho among others through sensitization against Gender Based Violence in the forms of early marriage, premarital sex and incest for the last two years.
Local leaders from the beneficiary villages pose with certificates of recognition
A total of 50 teenage mothers were also equipped with self-employable vocational skills in craft shoe making and hair dressing to enhance their livelihoods and reduce their vulnerability to men.
Bwesumbu sub- county Community Development Officer, Ms. Bridget Kabugho testified that previously her office had been registering 30 cases quarterly but the trend has drastically reduced to 5 quarterly.
Mr. Mondo Kateka, the Commissioner for Youth and Children at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development says teenage pregnancies partly stem from irresponsible parenting.
He cautioned against discrimination among children based on either their gender or age reiterating that the practice that compromises the future of the affected children.
Busongora North Member of Parliament, Mr. Sowedi Kitanywa regrets that there are some cultural norms including sexual reproductive health talks that have been abandoned, leading to a surge in early marriages.
ENDS