RUNDU – Teenage pregnancy is on the increase, because many young girls are too obsessed with money, says the chief of the Gciriku Traditional Authority Kassian Siyambi.
“Money is disturbing our young girls. I do not understand why they love money, what do they really want to use the money for? Many of them only use the money to buy shameful clothes,” said Siyambi on Wednesday at the end of the opening ceremony of the 3-day Girl-Child Conference on Teenage Pregnancy underway in Rundu. The latest statistics indicate that the national prevalence rate for teenage pregnancy stands at 17 percent, but some regions such as Kavango and Ohangwena post higher rates, 34 percent and 26 percent respectively.
Last year a total of 1431 girls dropped out of school countrywide due to pregnancy with 326 in the two Kavango regions and 257 in the Ohangwena Region, the highest in the country. “You are embarrassing us as your parents and the whole country. Teenage problems will bring problems to you and your parents,” said the Gciriku traditional leader. He implored learners to focus on their schoolwork instead of dancing in shebeens throughout the night. “Even old men sleep with young girls, because the girls like money. If he just takes out money then you see the girls running,” he said. “Girls, girls, girls, you are embarrassing us,” he said.
He also blames alcohol abuse for the high rate of teenage pregnancy that has cut short the schooling of many. “When you drink alcohol you become abnormal and you cannot think clearly!” the chief said. According to him the abolishment of corporal punishment in public schools is also a contributing factor. “Children are not disciplined anymore, because teachers are not even allowed to touch (beat) learners. Children are very spoiled nowadays,” he said, adding that children will not listen if they are not disciplined at school. Siyambi also cautioned learners to avoid sexual activity, saying it can only lead to self-ruin. “You are the future teachers, ministers and doctors, but at the rate teenage pregnancy is happening where will our leaders come from one day?” the chief queried. “We as parents will not stop talking to you, therefore I urge all of us to join hands to fight this social evil,” he said. “When we joined hands to fight HIV/AIDS we managed to control it, so I believe joining hands will also help when it comes to fighting teenage pregnancy,” he said. Siyambi said he always talks about teenage pregnancy whenever he conducts school visits in his area, but to his disappointment the problem continues unabated.
By Mathias Haufiku