By Rose Kasigwa 

The Speaker of Parliament of Uganda Anita Annet Among has called for a need to challenge cultural norms that perpetuate early child pregnancies, emphasizing the importance of addressing these harmful practices to ensure a safer and more supportive environment for young girls.

Launching the Uganda Parliamentary Forum to End Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy, 0n June 11 in Kampala, Among emphasized that there is no justification for introducing contraceptives to minors.

“What is important is the zeal you have as a young girl, the business of using contraceptives is very very bad just know you are a young girl and time will come , you will  reach a moment  and you will decide what you want  either to get married or  to stay single.” Ms. Among said

Among speaking during a meeting asked leaders at all levels to implement all legislations passed by parliament to protect girls from early marriages and teenage pregnancies.

The speaker narrated her ordeal as  young girl her father refused to pay her school fees and instead opted to marry her off in exchange of material gains.

“Iam from a family of 48 children and am the last born I saw all my sisters getting married at an early age, the situation forced me to run away from home I started working as a house help and paid my own school fees later as I was staying with my sister her husband wanted to rape me but I managed to run away.” said Among

She said the challenge of teenage pregnancy and early marriage is a serious one in the country and must be handled at all levels. She emphasized the importance of addressing the harmful cultural and traditional practices to ensure a safer and a more supportive environment for teenage girls.

The United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) representative Laura Criado asked government to priotise education for the girl child.

“Education is a key tool to empowerment and uplifting of our societies and communities. Keep young girls in school and ensuring they complete their education.   When girls are in school the late they get pregnant. “Said Laura

The chairperson of Uganda Parliamentary Forum to end Child marriage and teenage pregnancy, Ronald Olema noted with concern that  high levels of poverty in the country is one of the causes of early marriage and teenage pregnancies in the country.

“The poverty levels in the country are above 38 percent and in rural areas are above 68 percent. If families are poor, the girl child is prone to be exposed to early sexual intercourse in communities.”Said Olema.

Olema further attributed the high rates of early marriages and teenage pregnancies to lack of education where most girls are being given out for marriage.

Olema also pointed at Culture and traditional practices in Uganda which do not offer a conducive environment for the growth of a girl   and hence expose them to early marriages