By Patience Gama,
Chiefs and non-governmental organizations in Machinga express alarm over the increasing incidence of early pregnancies among girls in the district.
This concern was said during a stakeholder meeting at Group Village Chipolonga in traditional authority Mtumbwinda facilitated by the Development Network for Youth Empowerment (DENEYE).
Area development committee representative Lanjesi Masale and women representative Hanna Wethiwa emphasized that a significant number of girls are leaving school due to cultural practices disrupting their education.
Lanjesi urged parents to actively prevent harmful cultural practices in the district to secure the future of their daughters.
“We appeal to stakeholders and the government to assist us in eliminating these harmful practices and raising awareness on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) to prevent early pregnancies,” he said.
He also commended DENEYE for their efforts in sensitizing communities about the importance of family planning methods for girls to pursue their goals.
In an interview, Shalid Ishmael, the executive director of DENEYE, expressed concern about the growing number of adolescents experiencing early pregnancies.
“Through the meeting, we have identified a need for increased awareness on contraception, so we will continue engaging communities and mothers’ groups on this issue,” he explained.
He appealed to other organizations in the country to provide funding, emphasizing that DENEYE is currently operating without any financial support.
