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A concerning rise in teenage pregnancy rates in Terego District has prompted the Uganda Women’s Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) to intervene. Led by Terego woman MP Rose Obiga, a group of four MPs convened meetings with stakeholders to address the issue on March 1.
During these meetings, held at various venues, the legislators were presented with alarming statistics. Since October of the previous year, 2203 girls in the district had been defiled, representing a staggering 21% of the population. This figure far exceeds the global average of 14%.
The root causes of this crisis were identified as multifaceted. Poverty emerged as a significant factor, leading children to lack proper care and drop out of school. Additionally, issues such as drug abuse, cultural attitudes viewing girls as sources of income, exposure to pornography through technology, and a decline in moral values were highlighted.
The MPs engaged with various groups affected by the crisis, including leaders, representatives of victims, parents, and schoolchildren. Shockingly, they learned of cases involving very young victims, with some girls as young as 11 years old being defiled by older individuals.
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Reflecting on their own experiences, MPs shared personal stories and offered advice to young people. Nabilatuk woman MP Sylvia Awas Vicky emphasized the importance of delaying marriage and abstaining from premarital sex, drawing from her own journey to becoming a member of parliament.
Former health minister Sarah Opendi issued a stern warning to perpetrators, stating that severe punitive measures would be enforced once the Sexual Offences Bill, 2019 is passed. She proposed castration as a potential punishment for those accused of aggravated defilement.
Despite efforts to address the crisis, challenges remain in enforcing existing by-laws and ensuring adequate security measures. Terego deputy RDC Onyango Emokol Peter highlighted limitations in manpower and resources, hindering the crackdown on activities contributing to sexual abuse.
In closing, stakeholders urged victims not to lose hope and offered support for their recovery and empowerment. Terego woman MP Rose Obiga, along with her fellow MPs from West Nile, directed teenage girls to avoid intimate relationships with boys, emphasizing the importance of education and self-empowerment.
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