Curbing the rate of children having children.
By Utitofon Idara
In Apomu, headquaters of Isokan Local Government area of Osun State in Nigeria, there is a growing rate of teenage pregnancy.
Many girls between the ages of 12 and 15 are already mothers. Most of them who are secondary school students drop out and are unable to further their studies. A research carried out by Teenage Pregnancy Committee set up by Olori Janet Afolabi, Queen of Apomu Kingdom shows that part of the blame is on the mothers who instead of cautioning their children, celebrate them by organising an elaborate naming ceremony to welcome the new born baby.They even buy uniformed materials popularly known as aso ebi an action which allegedly embolden the young girls to want to have babies outside outside wedlock so as to be celebrated.
Concerned by this development,Olori Janet Afolabi recently organized an inaugural meeting .With the permission of the King of Apomu, Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi, the Alapomu of Apomu she called on members of Apomu community, the Chiefs to cooperate with the National Youth Service Corp, (NYSC) members serving in Apomu who are working on the initiative to curb teenage pregnancy, create awareness of the dangers of early childbirth and encourage girl child education.
Supported by Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi, the initiative to sensitize people of the community especially the women of Apomu received a boost as the King mandated a monthly meeting between the women and Olori Janet Afolabi.
The Queen noted that Apomu has been regarded as a red zone for teenage pregnancy and some stakeholders have prevailed on her to do something to reduce it. She said teenage pregnancy has been going on for decades. “we can’t stop it totally but it can be reduced and that is the step that we are taking now because it is not allowing the children, I still call them children because they are 13,14 and 15 to be in school.They are supposed to be in school but are now mothers”’.
“I am not against giving birth but let them attain adulthood so as to know what is really happening to their bodies.They need to be mentally matured to be mothers.Their bodies need to be matured for pregnancy childbearing and delivery because of Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF).
Olori Janet Afolabi said she foresees a lot of achievement in reduction of teenage pregnancy in the next three years as many mothers will be aware of the dangers of early pregnancy and childbirth.
Grace Eniola one of the Corps members present at the meeting stated that in some communities, teenage pregnancy is acceptable norm and that family, environment, absent parenting, rape and drugs are the major causes, stating that it affects them psychologically, health, education and career wise and it affects the community as well so that is the reason she is working with the Queen of Apomu to ensure that teenage pregnancy is drastically reduced and this will be done through sensitization of the secondary school students, the women and men of community so they are aware of the dangers and step up to curb reduce and possibly eradicate it.
On if it is acceptable in Apomu land, she said with the right step the Queen has taken, and with adequate sensitization and awareness, the community will soon realize the dangers and join hands to stop it.
According to Africa Check, Nigeria records a yearly average of 106 adolescent births per 1,000 populations as at 2021
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) notes that “Early childbearing, or pregnancy and delivery during adolescence, can derail girls’ otherwise healthy development into adulthood and have negative impacts on their education, livelihoods and health”
“Many girls who are pregnant are pressured or forced to drop out of school, which can impact their educational and employment prospects and opportunities. Early pregnancy and childbearing can also have social consequences for girls, including reduced status in the home and community, stigmatization, rejection and violence by family members, peers and partners, and early and forced marriage”.
UNICEF states that “Adolescent girls, especially those in early adolescence, are particularly vulnerable to the health consequences of pregnancy and delivery as their bodies may not be physically ready”.
