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The Pacific – Unplanned Adolescent Pregnancy in Vanuatu report explains the difficulties adolescent girls and young women often face in managing relationships – including the fear of parental anger and social rejection among pregnant girls.
photo: AFP
A new report recommends expanding sexuality and reproductive education programmes for adolescent girls in Vanuatu and calls for ensuring action is taken based on research.
this Unplanned teenage pregnancy in the Pacific – Vanuatu The report was launched in Port Vila last week.
It contains research on the experiences of adolescent girls and young women facing unintended pregnancy and childbirth in Vanuatu.
Data were collected in Sanma, Tafea and Shefa, with logistical support provided by CARE in Tafea Province.
The Pacific Community (SPC) said similar studies conducted in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, and Tonga showed that adolescent girls often have significant gaps in sexual and reproductive knowledge.
“This is often due to inadequate reproductive health education, negative attitudes of health care providers, and family restrictions on attending community education programs, leading to delayed maternal care and potential adverse health outcomes,” the SPC said.
The research also explains why teenage girls and young women often have difficulty managing relationships – including fear of parental anger and social rejection among pregnant girls.
“The study investigated traditional and current knowledge and practices regarding birth restriction from the perspective of older women and the experiences of adolescent girls and young women,” the Supreme Court said.
One of the key recommendations from the study is the need to expand programs targeting adolescent girls that provide reproductive health rights information, referrals to services, and opportunities to help girls and young women make informed decisions.
It also stressed the need for comprehensive reproductive health education for adolescents in schools.
Wilmalaya Sinumila, country director of the International Disaster Relief Organization, said the study will help participants better understand unwanted teenage pregnancy from the perspective of a young woman or girl.
“Change may not happen overnight, but this is the first step and it’s always important to take the first step,” she said.
“We have a shared responsibility. The research will be disseminated; we will know what the results are, so we can no longer be ignorant.”
Sarah Mecartney, director of the SPC’s Melanesia regional office, said it was one thing to conduct research, but without action, things would remain as they were.
“This research will be invaluable in strengthening our collective response and services by focusing on the experiences and needs of those affected.”
The final report was produced by the University of New South Wales with support from the Australian Government.
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