By Glory Chinyanga
Women’s Legal Resources Centre (WOLREC) says social norms, economic vulnerability, transactional relationships and challenges in accessing sexual and reproductive health services are among the major factors contributing to early and unintended pregnancies among adolescents and young people in Malawi.
WOLREC Executive Director Maggie Kathewera Banda said this in Lilongwe during a national validation workshop for findings of the Research Informed Solutions for Early and Unintended Pregnancy (RISE UP) research.
Banda said the research, which engaged young people, traditional leaders, government and other stakeholders, found that some cultural practices, including initiation ceremonies, may expose young girls to information that is not appropriate for their age.
Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland Ronan Sweeney said Malawi has one of the highest adolescent birth rates globally, with 136 live births per 1,000 girls aged between 15 and 19.
He said early and unintended pregnancy can interrupt education, limit opportunities and reinforce cycles of poverty.
Meanwhile, Principal Youth Officer in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Chikondi Chasukwa said the government is implementing various interventions to address early and unintended pregnancies.
These include youth-friendly health services, comprehensive sexuality education and safe spaces that promote communication between parents and children.
The research was conducted by Social Development Direct (SDD) and WOLREC in Zomba and Mulanje districts to inform interventions under the RISE UP programme, which seeks to prevent and respond to early and unintended pregnancies among adolescents and young people, with support from the Embassy of Ireland.
