According to a survey report in Uganda, at least 2300 school going girls have been impregnated and married off during this lockdown.
The mini survey findings are from the districts of Ngora, Kyegegwa, Lyantonde, Luwero, Kitgum, Rakai, Kayunga, Ntungamo, Kayunga and Kasese.
Pregnancy is always carried with pride, but for the few young women in these areas, it is not the case. It is unfortunately a reminder that they are teen mothers, how they got here, has a lot to do with the difficult circumstances in their lives.
This is partly attributed to the lockdown that created more redundant time for the learners, who ideally are supposed to be engrossed in the government’s e-learning programme. Here, parents are largely blamed for engaging the pupils into forced labour where men have taken advantage of them.
Going by data from the probation and social welfare office in Kyegegwa, an estimated 5,000 teenage girls were impregnated in 2019. Of these, 1,500 went into forced marriage.
In Teso Sub-region, Ngora District alone, the number of antenatal care visits for teenage girls between January and June this year stands at 2341, according to data from the district health department.
“The parent does nothing, you will find him sleeping in the morning until the evening, alcohol is here in the village, not that we do not respect the parents, it is just that now they cannot help us children,” says an 8-year-old pupil.
“A relative bought me underwear, gave me five thousand and bought a skirt, gave me another ten thousand and bought a shirt… so that is what will help me,” adds another.
A situation that has pushed them to do what it takes to acquire necessities they so much require; at whatever cost.
According to these underage girls, some of their friends have more than three men. While one fulfills a certain need, the others get to fulfil the rest.
All the girls have to do is sexually engage with the men who are either boda boda riders, businessmen and sometimes their fellow schoolmates.
A majority of them have opted to get married as a way to escape the poverty at home.
And as village elders, chiefs and other parents engage these young girls on how best to resolve their issues, there still remains a challenge as some among them have found themselves at the mercy of men who have forced themselves on them.
Additional Information by Daily Monitor
Sex for trade is just an excuse but these girls are just spoilt, now when they get pregnant, they bounce back the blames pretending like it’s Poverty pushing them into that!!!
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