Bell and Bridge Crystal Foundation will embark on an awareness campaign to introduce a strategy which is been developed to show how government and stakeholders will work together to support a downward trend in teenage pregnancies. This is in view of a broader national initiative and is a government priority.
Teenage pregnancy is undesirable on a number of counts, including:
- The health of the teenage mother and her child is likely to be poorer.
- Teenage parents are less likely to complete their education, and consequently have reduced opportunities in employment.
- The daughter of a teenage mother is more likely to become a teenage mother herself.
- The family can thus become locked in a cycle of relative disadvantage.
Notwithstanding this, this strategy acknowledges that young people will be entitled to make informed choices about their lives, so that those that choose to become parents, will be actively supported to reach their potential in society and overcome specific challenges they are likely to face.
This strategy therefore proposes a range of services that can support young parents better, that can provide them with similar opportunities which are available to their peers, and that will give the best start in life to their children.
The following outlines the components of the vision:
- Every young teenager in Nigeria should be entitled to receive sex and relationships Education (SRE) in school. This should enable them to make choices about their own sexual health, and to have an understanding of the consequences of their actions thereof.
- Effective advisory, prevention and support services which work and network together will be a key element of ensuring that information and support is readily available to all young people nation wide.
- For teenagers who unfortunately become pregnant, there will be on offer a range of services to assist them to make informed choices about their own future.
- For young parents, local agencies will work together with the family to ensure that they are able to receive the support they need, and to give their children the best start in life.
- To ensure that the sexual health of young people is a high priority on the public health agenda.
- To strengthen support for SRE implementation in schools.
The aim of this strategy is to ensure this vision is implemented within 10 years.