Plan International Ghana ,an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls has secured €794,000 funding from Beiersdorf AG through Plan International Germany to implement “Be Smart-Learn and Stay Protected “ project.
The project is targeted at tackling teenage pregnancy menace
The number of already alarming early Pregnancy in Ghana has increased sharply with the arrival of Covid-19 pandemic.
A total of 109,888 adolescent girls were impregnated in 2020.
Out of the number 2,865 were between 10 and 14 years while those with ages between 15 and 19 years were 107,023.
Majority of these young girls have dropped out of school.
More vulnerable girls stand the higher risk of being impregnated as the scourge of coronavirus pandemic ravages the economy and incomes.
However, the implementation of the “Be Smart -Learn and Stay Protected “project would help improve the capacity of 5,200 adolescent girls in 20 beneficiary communities to exercise their right to quality education, and Protection from sexual and gender-based violence through empowerment of the community, Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) and Social Welfare.
Additionally, 2000 families in the project location areas will be empowered to challenge harmful norms and assist adolescent girls to learn in protective environment by the end of the project in 2023.
Lilian Bruce, Gender Specialist with Plan International Ghana said teenage pregnancy has debilitating effect on the victims and national development stating that, culprits should punish.
The Eastern Regional Manager of Plan International Ghana, Kofi Adade Debrah, said teenage pregnancy is high in Eastern region with average rate higher than 18% national average due to combined effect of poverty, illegal mining and other social challenges. He said, teenage pregnancy is affecting achievement of gender parity in Tertiary education.
“this project is here and well- targeted to solve a contemporary issues of teenage pregnancy as the Eastern region has the highest percentage in Ghana ie 30% of women aged 20 to 24 years who have had a live birth before age 18 as against a national average of 18 and lowest occurrence of 10% in the Greater Accra Region .
In terms of sex,again according to the Ghana statistical Service (2018) ,nationally ,men and women aged 15 to 24 years who had sex before 15 years was 7% and 11% respectively. To this indicator ,the Eastern and Ashanti regions are the highest of 11% among the men, while Volta Region(include Oti Region) and the Northern region are the highest of 17% among women”
Meanwhile a workshop has been held for stakeholders and implementers of the project including community members, Police, social welfare and the media in Koforidua.
Source : Starrfm.com.gh