Launch of Parliamentary Forum to End Child Marriages and Teenage Pregnancies
Today, a new Parliamentary Forum aimed at ending child marriages and teenage pregnancies was launched. Anita Annet Among was honored to be named as a patron of this important initiative. During the event, she urged parents and cultural leaders to take action to stop the harmful practice of teenage marriages. She emphasized that this practice is driven by the dehumanizing view of girls as commodities.
Anita Among shared her personal story of almost becoming a victim of child marriage. As she was about to finish primary school, she faced the threat of being forced into a marriage. To escape this fate, she left her home and worked as a house girl in other people’s homes, eventually managing to pay for her education through her own efforts.
In her speech, Anita Among highlighted poor parenting as a major factor contributing to the issue of child marriages and teenage pregnancies. She expressed her commitment to supporting the forum’s efforts to raise awareness and ensure that girls have access to education. She stressed that while parenting plays a significant role, individuals’ aspirations and determination to persevere in tough circumstances are crucial in overcoming these challenges.
Anita Among also expressed her gratitude to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other development partners for their support in the collective effort to eliminate child marriages and teenage pregnancies. She acknowledged their contributions and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration in tackling this issue.
