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Ending Teenage Pregnancies & Early Marriages

Girls Support Center > Causes > Ending Teenage Pregnancies & Early Marriages
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Ending Teenage Pregnancies & Early Marriages

Overview:
Teenage pregnancies and early marriages remain a major challenge in Soroti District, particularly in Kamuda, Aukot, Asuret, and Soroti City. 47% of girls are married before the age of 18, with many forced into marriage due to cultural, economic, and social pressures. These issues lead to school dropouts, health complications, economic dependence, and an increased cycle of poverty among girls.

The Girls Support Center (GSC) is committed to reducing teenage pregnancies and early marriages through awareness, empowerment, education, and legal support. Our interventions are designed to protect girls, provide alternatives, and create a supportive community that values their rights and potential.

Key Challenges Contributing to Teenage Pregnancies & Early Marriages:

  • Cultural practices encourage early marriage as a way to secure wealth (bride price) or “protect” girls from premarital sex.
  • Poverty and economic hardships force families to marry off their daughters for financial relief.
  • Lack of education leads to 40% of girls aged 6–15 not being in school, increasing their vulnerability.
  • Gender-based violence and rape result in unwanted pregnancies.
  • Limited access to reproductive health services prevents girls from making informed choices.
  • Parental neglect and broken homes push girls into survival tactics like transactional sex or early marriage.

Our Approach & Interventions:

1. Awareness & Sensitization Programs

  • Conduct community dialogues with parents, elders, and local leaders to discourage early marriages.
  • Organize school outreaches, mentorship programs, and peer education sessions.
  • Utilize radio talk shows, social media, and community drama to spread awareness.

2. Girls’ Rights Protection & Advocacy

  • Provide legal support through collaboration with law enforcement, probation offices, and legal aid organizations.
  • Advocate for stronger policies against child marriage and ensure enforcement.
  • Establish girls’ rights monitoring committees at the village level.

3. Keeping Girls in School

  • Offer school re-entry support, including scholarships, school supplies, and mentorship.
  • Engage parents and guardians to promote the value of girls’ education.
  • Provide school-based life skills training to build confidence and leadership among girls.

4. Economic Empowerment for At-Risk Girls & Teenage Mothers

  • Provide vocational skills training in tailoring, hairdressing, baking, crafts, and small business management.
  • Offer startup capital, micro-loans, and savings groups to help teenage mothers become self-reliant.
  • Introduce alternative livelihood programs for families to reduce reliance on child marriages.

5. Reproductive Health Education & Access to Services

  • Educate girls on family planning, contraception, menstrual hygiene, and STI prevention.
  • Partner with health facilities to provide youth-friendly reproductive health services.
  • Offer emergency support for pregnant teens, including safe delivery services, antenatal care, and postnatal support.

6. Establishment of a Girls’ Safe Haven & Rehabilitation Center (Future Plan)

  • Set up a safe shelter for girls at risk of child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
  • Develop a rehabilitation program offering counseling, mentorship, and vocational training.
  • Create a referral and support system linking girls to legal aid, education, and employment opportunities.

Impact of Our Work:

  • Reduction in teenage pregnancies and early marriages in Soroti District.
  • Increased school retention rates for vulnerable girls.
  • Greater community involvement and awareness about girls’ rights.
  • More economic opportunities for girls through vocational and business training.
  • Improved health outcomes for adolescent girls, reducing maternal deaths and HIV/AIDS risks.

Join Us in the Fight Against Early Marriages & Teenage Pregnancies!

We are calling on government agencies, NGOs, donors, religious leaders, schools, and local communities to support our cause. Together, we can create a future where every girl has the chance to learn, grow, and achieve her full potential!