Buckle Up Your Holy Books: Norwegian Ambassador Urges Action Against Teenage Pregnancies
The project, spanning three districts—Machinga, Chikwawa, and Nsanje—over three years, marks yet another crucial moment in which NCA/DCA engages faith and traditional leaders to take lead.
MACHINGA, Malawi-The Norwegian Ambassador to Malawi, Ingrid Marie Mikelsen, has made a fervent appeal to faith leaders in Malawi, urging them to leverage their influence to address the alarming rate of teenage pregnancies and child marriages.
Mikelsen's call comes as statistics from the Ministry of Health reveal that these issues currently stand at a staggering 29%, writes Francis Botha.
Speaking at the launch of the K1.5 billion Faith-Based Approach on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights project in Ntaja, Machinga on Tuesday this week, Ambassador Mikelsen underscored the Norwegian Government's keen interest in matters affecting adolescent girls and women in Malawi, stressing that these issues directly impact the socio-economic development of the nation.
Highlighting the pivotal role of women in societal development, Mikelsen emphasized, "We know that socio-economic development must also go through women. Women constitute approximately 50% of the population, and their welfare is key because a caring mother who has resources to take care of children will provide for a better future for the children and the country."
Drawing on Norway's success in socializing boys from an early age to foster mutual care, Mikelsen emphasized the importance of including boys in initiatives aimed at reducing teenage pregnancies.
The project, implemented by Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid (NCA/DCA), seeks to address teenage pregnancies comprehensively, with a focus on changing attitudes towards sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) issues.
Mikelsen expressed her desire to see the project reduce Malawi’s teenage pregnancy prevalence rate by aligning with the country's goals of reducing teenage marriages by 2030.
She emphasized the need for increased awareness campaigns and a shift in mindset regarding sexuality education, a task she believes lies within the purview of traditional and religious leaders.
Guest of honor, Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daudi, commended the Royal Norwegian Embassy for financing the impactful project, acknowledging the critical role of development partners in addressing the challenge of teenage pregnancies.
Stefan Jansen, Country Director for Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid (NCA/DCA) Malawi Joint Country Programme echoed this sentiment, praising the embassy's support for various health-related projects.
The project, spanning three districts—Machinga, Chikwawa, and Nsanje—over three years, marks yet another crucial moment in which NCA/DCA engages faith and traditional leaders to take lead in behavior change initiatives.
With concerted efforts from all stakeholders, Mikelsen's vision for a significant reduction in teenage pregnancies in Malawi seems within reach.