RECENT research indicates that Tanzania is
among countries with the highest number of teenage pregnancies in the
world. This was said by Plan International Tanzania Country Director
Jorgen Haldorsen at a press conference on the International Day of the
Girl Child slated for Friday.
Mr Haldorsen said that between 2006 and 2009, a total of 16,999 girls
in primary and secondary schools across the country dropped out of
school due to pregnancy.
He said that reports on reproductive health also show that a
significant number of maternal mortality cases happen among under age
mothers aged between 15 and 18 years. "It is established that three out
of ten girls experience sexual violence before reaching 18 years.
Among boys, one out of seven face similar experience," he said. Mr
Haldorsen said that the study established that 48 per cent of these
cases were committed at home and 23 per cent committed along the way to
and from school, while 15 per cent happens at school.
He said that it is worth noting that girl children in Tanzania
together with boys still face a number of challenges in realizing their
rights, saying that a study on violence Against Children in 2009, by the
United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the
government indicates that violence against children remains widespread
and is a real issue in the country.
He further said that this year's marking of the International Day of
the Girl Child will coincide with the 2nd anniversary of Because I am a
Girl (BIAAG) campaign, saying that it will be a moment to take stock of
achievements made so far under the campaign.
He said that some of the achievements under the BIAAG campaign
include the provision of 450 scholarships for girls to access secondary
education under six programmes, providing access for 413 girls to
vocational and technical training and construction of gender-friendly
water and sanitation infrastructure in schools.
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