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Tag: UNFPA

  • UNFPA distributes 53,000 condoms in Calabar

    UNFPA distributes 53,000 condoms in Calabar

    The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), says it has so far distributed over 53,000 condoms through its Wise-up Cross River State campaign at Calabar Christmas Village.

    Mr Olamide Onifade, Head, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, UNFPA, Wise-up Cross River State, disclosed this in a release he issued and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Sunday.

    NAN reports that the campaign has been on since Dec.1, when the one-month annual commercial fiesta began at the Christmas village.

    Wise-up Cross River State campaign is aimed at reducing HIV/AIDS prevalence in the state through the active involvement of the youth and the vulnerable.

    It is in line with the target of ending HIV/AIDS around the world by 2030, using the 90:90:90 strategy, developed by the UNAIDS.

    He said: “As at Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2016, a total of 3,533 people have accessed the Wise-up zone with a total of 2030 HIV counselling and testing carried out.

    “Also, over 53,000 units of both male and female condoms have been given out, while 7,077 pieces of information, education and communication materials have so far been distributed.

    “So far, 23 persons (13 males and 10 females) have tested positive to the virus and they are already undergoing counselling as the Wise-up Cross River State campaign is running a test and treat policy.”

    Onifade said that condom distribution was intensified over the week as the event inched toward a close.

    Meanwhile, Wise-up Cross River State zone at the Christmas village has been lit up by the visit of Dr Inyang Asibong, the state Commissioner for Health.

    The commissioner said that she visited the UNFPA stand to see things for herself.

    “It’s such a beauty to see the Wise-up Cross River State zone; it’s so amazing to be here.

    “It is awesome to see youths come out to encourage other youths to live healthy; there’s no better feeling,” she said.

    She commended UNFPA and its partners for the campaign and pledged the continued support of the ministry for such programmes. (NAN)

  • FG cancels plan to build 10,000 PHCs

    FG cancels plan to build 10,000 PHCs

    …To merge health department for effective performance

    Federal Government may have put off its earlier plan to build 10,000 primary health care centres across all senatorial zones across the country, it was learnt Thursday.

    Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole said the decision to cancel the project was on the advice of Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, who felt that the states may not be able to meet up with their contributions.

    Adewole spoke during an audience with Under-Secretary-General and Executive-Director, United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin in Abuja

    Absolving the Finance minister of any blame, Adewole said the minister (Finance) had earlier pledged upon assumption of office that the PHCs would be made available by President Buhari-led administration within four years, and that the nation’s health systems would be driven through it.

    But with the turn of event in the country, she was concerned that the states may not be able to meet up with their contributions. This, Adeosun said will be a burden on the Federal Government.

    Minister of Health had on Tuesday assured the country that government would harmonize various departments in the ministry for effective performance. He said most of the health projects in the country are funded by sponsors, and that the best way to show seriousness as a government, and appreciate such aids is to expend the funds through a well-coordinated channel.

    He said of the PHC’s: “Truly, we came up with the agenda of revitalizing one PHC per political ward, that would lead us to ensuring 1000 PHCs are in place. But, then, there is a problem. Government set up an inter-ministerial committee. At our first meeting, it was obvious, the Minister of Finance said ‘wait a minute, when you take this up, the local government and states will abandon its responsibility. And, when they abandon it for you, you are in trouble.

    “About 40 percent of the resources go into personnel cost. So, if you want to bear the responsibility of the resources, you want to bear responsibility for commodities, then, what exactly will the states be doing?

    “So, we are trying to repackage the concept. We are taking on one hundred and ten for pilot. We are going through the backdoor, using the Save-One-Million-Lives, which is actually $500 million facility from the World Bank. We’ve given out to the states as grant, and what we’ve done is to advance them and advance payment at $1.5million. Use this, and then, in a year’s time, we would re-evaluate and match you with you. In other words, we compared, say Lagos State in 2015 with Lagos State in 2016. We then advance them with rewards based on improvements. And, I’ve been talking to many of the state governors, saying use this to strengthen your primary health care system. I think many of them are listening. If they do not invest, there will be nothing for them next year.”

    He added that one of the core goals of the ministry under his leadership is promote family planning services as the best way for mothers to plan and live their lives meaningfully.

    In his remark, Prof. Osotimehin, who was accompanied by Permanent Secretary, United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, DfID, Mark Lowcock, expressed the concern of UNFPA and DfID over high maternal death rate in the country.

    He however reiterated the support of international community for the country to reduce the incidence. He however informed that family planning would effectively reduce the deaths by 30 percent, and that it should be embraced by all people in the country.

  • Shettima commends UNFPA’s humanitarian services

    Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday commended the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for its humanitarian services in the state.

    The governor gave the commendation during a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, the state capital.

    “The UNFPA is one organisation that is very much committed to the welfare of our young ones and of our mothers,” Shettima told NAN.

    “We are very much conscious and aware of their commitment and passion towards ameliorating the challenges facing us.”

    He pointed out that the fund had been active in supporting the healthcare services in the state.

    “UNFPA is very much active in most of our primary healthcare centres, supporting them with lots of maternal healthcare kits,’’ he said.

    The governor said the state government would partner with the UNFPA to further enhance the healthcare service delivery in the state.

    “UNFPA and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are among the best performing UN organisations that are working for our people,’’ he added.

     

  • Action health graduates 120 out of school girls

    Action health graduates 120 out of school girls

    Action Health Incorporated on Wednesday graduated about 120 out-of-school adolescent girls who are beneficiaries of its Project tagged; ‘Expanding Access of Marginalized Out-of-School Girls to Services in Ilaje Community’.

    The graduates, drawn from Ilaje Community out of the 42 slum areas of Lagos State, were empowered with intensive livelihood skills and sexual and reproductive health programme with the support of United Nations Population Funds.

    Delivering her welcome speech, Mrs Adenike Esiet, Executive Director, Action Health Incorporated, noted that the girls will be given start up kits worth N10,000 adding: “This is in addition to being registered with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the opening  of a bank account to aid financial accountability in their businesses.
    “It is important to note that the lack of schooling has implications far beyond access to basic education: being out-of-school substantially increases the threats to these adolescent girls’ health, pressure to engage in risky sexual relations, pressure to marry early, as well as exposure to exploitative labour conditions,” she noted.

    In his remarks, Mr Koffi Kouame, UNFPA, Deputy Director observed that the programme could not have come at a more auspicious time for Nigeria as globally, countries are currently setting in place actions that will ensure the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    “In this regards, it is important to note that the ability of the Out Of School Girls (OOSG) to fulfil her potential is a major contributor to the attainment of the SDGs and therefore is a corresponding critical development in Nigeria.

    Some of the 120 graduating girls in a group photograph after the celebration in Lagos
    Some of the 120 graduating girls in a group photograph after the celebration in Lagos

    “As a result, landmark occasion represents a call to action to all Nigerians (policy makers, legislators, other development partners and NGOs) to work in ensuring that the OOSG is empowered in terms of accessing formal or informal education as well as the acquisition of skills and knowledge about her sexual and reproductive health, which will enable her reach maximum potential and contribute to the development of Nigeria,” Kouame stressed.

    Speaking further, he noted that Lagos, with over 2million young girls aged 10 to 19, has the highest number of young girls in Nigeria. “Even though, Lagos state has been a pacesetter in the promotion of girls’ education and women empowerment, a significant  proportion of these girls are still out-of-school.

    “Therefore, if significant progress towards the empowerment of the OOSG is achieved in Lagos, the impact will be felt nationally and indeed on a global scale as well. It is well acknowledged that the OOSG is one of the most vulnerable individuals in our society as they are well accustomed to living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions, exposed to gender based violence, coerced sexual encounters or forced marriages, early pregnancy/child bearing and exploitative labour conditions,” Kouame noted.

    During their testimonies, elated Godonu Gloria narrated how she dropped out of school at primary 5 only to help her parents sell pap (koko) as a means to sustain the family. According to Gloria, she later went to stay with her grandma, who told her to join the other girls in selling fish as a tradition for all the children living with her.

    She went further to explain how she had always wanted to bake and how she got to know about the opportunity on a Sunday at church. She harped on it and is now an empowered graduate of the Action Health Incorporated Programme. According to her, she made N4000 during her first baking business.

    Similarly, Olawale Aminat, another beneficiary recounted her ordeal in the polygamous family being the last child of the third wife. Aminat dropped out of school at the Senior Secondary School (SSS) 3 because her mother could no longer meet up with the incessant demands of the science department she belonged to in school to carry out various projects.

    On her part, she learned makeup artistry and headgear (gele) tying and has succeeded in practising her new trade at a public event where she made N1500 on the first day. Aminat thanked the AHI and UNFPA, observing that both organisations have done well for many girls, including her.

    Present at the graduation ceremony include the Honourable Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Women of Affairs, Mrs Lola Akande, represented by Mrs Folasade S. Adesoye, Permanent Secretary, Lagos state Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; Mr Coffin Kouame, Deputy Representative, UNFPA; Mr S.A Bamgbade, Ilaje Community Leader; Mrs Oluwasoromidayo George, Corporate Affairs Director, Unilever, to mention a few.

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  • Maternal mortality drop by 44 percent – UN

    Maternal mortality drop by 44 percent – UN

    Maternal mortality has fallen by 44 percent since 1990, United Nations agencies and the World Bank Group has declared.

    In a Joint news release by the World health organisation (WHO), UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and the United nations Population Division Maternal deaths around the world dropped from about 532 000 in 1990 to an estimated 303 000 this year.

    According to the report, this is the last in a series that has looked at progress under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This equates to an estimated global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 216 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births, down from 385 in 1990.

    Maternal mortality is defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth or within six weeks after birth.

    According to WHO Assistant Director-General, Family, Women’s and Children’s Health Dr Flavia Bustreo, “The MDGs triggered unprecedented efforts to reduce maternal mortality. Over the past 25 years, a woman’s risk of dying from pregnancy-related causes has nearly halved. That’s real progress, although it is not enough. We know that we can virtually end these deaths by 2030 and this is what we are committing to work towards.”

    Achieving that goal will require much more effort, according to Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, the Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations’ Population Fund. “Many countries with high maternal death rates will make little progress, or will even fall behind, over the next 15 years if we don’t improve the current number of available midwives and other health workers with midwifery skills,” he said. “If we don’t make a big push now, in 2030 we’ll be faced, once again, with a missed target for reducing maternal deaths.”

    The analyses contained in Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990 to 2015 – Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and the United Nations Population Division are being published simultaneously in the medical journal The Lancet.

    Ensuring access to high-quality health services during pregnancy and child birth is helping to save lives. Essential health interventions include: practising good hygiene to reduce the risk of infection; injecting oxytocin immediately after childbirth to reduce the risk of severe bleeding; identifying and addressing potentially fatal conditions like pregnancy-induced hypertension; and ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health services and family planning for women.

  • Safety of mother, child in emergency

    Safety of mother, child in emergency

    “I remember hearing gunshots and feeling afraid. I ran to save my life and that of my six children, but I was not fast enough… I lost my baby… but I had to remain strong for the others…”, recounts Zainab (not real name) rescued from the Sambisa forest.

    “We are looking for your men. Do not run,” she remembers the gunmen saying when her village was stormed, leading to abduction of women and children. Another survivor, a pregnant Fatima (not real name) watched Boko Haram militants murder her husband and drag her three children away. Afterward, she was taken to the Sambisa Forest and ended up giving birth in the forest. She and her newborn were later rescued.

    The above tales of horror orchestrated by Boko Haram insurgents at the peak of their acts of terrorism in North-East Nigeria has been strongly condemned by the internal community including the United Nations (UN).

    The plain truth, yet a sad commentary, is that at the receiving end of the humanitarian crises arising from insurgency are women and children. The number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the refugees kept growing.

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the UN system in Nigeria put the total number of IDPs at 1,235,294 while 2,120 refugees and asylum seekers were registered as of 17 January 2015.

    According to Assessment Capacities Project, Start Network (ACAPS), the majority of IDPs are in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, in the far northeast, but 47,276 IDPs are in Plateau, Nasarawa, Abuja, Kano, and Kaduna states.

    However, the magnitude and severity of needs remain more pressing in the northeast, where humanitarian emergency thresholds have been exceeded and access was for a long time extremely challenging.

    Thus, it is no longer news that hundreds of women and children were abducted and held in locations hitherto held by the insurgents, including the dreaded Sambisa forest. It is also not news that hundreds of women and children have been rescued and are still being rescued by the military.

    That a number of the women and girls rescued were very traumatised and found to be pregnant is also in the public sphere. However, that every pregnancy, regardless of circumstances leading to it, must be safe and delivered is the issue for the front burner of public discourse.

    No doubt, the women and girls have gone through hell in the hands of their abductors. Their rights have been infringed upon; they have been brutalised and abused; and many have lost their lives in the process. The lucky ones that are still alive are back and still far away from returning to their normal self. They, obviously, need all kinds of support: foods, non-foods, dignity kits, health support, education, livelihood, among others.

    Furthermore, every time there is a humanitarian emergency, the actors in the humanitarian field are quick to rush and repeatedly provide food and non-food items to the displaced population.

    Of course, that reinforces the African proverb that says, ‘If you resolve the challenges of feeding in the life of a poor man, then he is no longer poor.’ But over time, the reality of other equally critical needs set in. The pregnant women, the lactating mothers, women of reproductive age and the children have to be catered for specially.

    The United Nations through its specialised Agencies, Programmes and Funds and the government, with the benefit of hindsight, always anticipates this and in all cases, factors such into its response plans.

    The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) being the lead Agency of the UN in the area of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) is committed to delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every child birth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. Its mandate was determined by United Nations Members, including Nigeria.

    Indeed, Nigeria is one of the countries whose 1965 appeal to the UN ultimately inspired the creation of UNFPA a few years later.

    UNFPA in Nigeria is committed to save lives, restore dignity and rebuild broken lives of vulnerable women and girls.

    Within the context of the insurgency in the North-East and its humanitarian challenges especially as they affect women and children, UNFPA is addressing gender-based violence in humanitarian settings through a wide range of services, including counselling, post-rape treatment, legal support, assistance with livelihoods, and support through its Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) programs.

    Working with and through the government of Nigeria including in the states, UNFPA interventions in 2014 alone supported more than 16,000 safe deliveries in North East Nigeria; reached about 2.6 million women and girls with SRH services including for Gender Based Violence (GBV) management in North East Nigeria; and supported provision of modern family planning services to an estimated 2 million women and Couple Year Protection of 2.2million countrywide.

    It is gladdening to note that through its interventions and support, about two thousand maternal deaths were averted country wide while another one thousand free fistula treatment surgeries were supported with 97% success rate across the country.

    Explaining the SRH support to the rescued girls and women, the Director and Country Representative of UNFPA Nigeria, Ms Rati Ndhlovu, observed that “Upon the arrival of rescued women and children in Malkohi camp in Yola, UNFPA responded immediately by providing reproductive health care and psychosocial counselling to survivors of violence.

    “Women and girls who survive unimaginable trauma of captivity and brutalizing violence need immediate and compassionate care and UNFPA has been, as always, determined to ensure that they are given everything they need to be able to heal with dignity, safety and a restored sense of self-worth. After a few weeks of counselling, there was marked improvement in the survivors.”

    Restoring the livelihood and normal lifestyle of the rescued women and children and those that are displaced by the insurgency and military operations is the issue on the front burner of the UN system in the country.

    Of particular importance is ensuring that women can deliver babies safely and that they and girls can maintain their health, dignity, rights and self-worth even in the most challenging situations.

    “Our efforts”, Ms Ndlovu added, “are focused on supporting women and girls to restore their lives as quickly as possible and begin the process of healing to be able to fulfill their potential and once again resume productive lives.”

  • Osotimehin reappointed  UNFPA executive director

    Osotimehin reappointed  UNFPA executive director

    The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has reappointed Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin as the Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund.

    In a statement on the appointment, the Secretary-General appreciated UNFPA’s progress in effective management of most disadvantaged women and adolescent girls.

    Upon reappointment, Osotimehin relives the past four years and describes it as an honour.

    He said, “It has been an honour to lead this extraordinary organization over the past four years, and I look forward to continuing our work together to improve the lives of women and adolescent girls and ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

    He also assured the public of UNFPA’s readiness to take on the forthcoming challenges.

    “Despite much progress in the 20 years since Cairo, we still have our work cut out for us. Fortunately, we know what we need to do and where we need to do it, and with our sharpened strategic focus, dedicated and skilled staff, commitment to excellence and to results, UNFPA has never been more ready to address the challenges ahead.”

    The reappointment is effective from 1 January 2015 through 31 December 2017.

     

  • UN praises Nigeria for curtailing virus spread

    UN praises Nigeria for curtailing virus spread

    The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has hailed the Federal Government for curtailing the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    UNFPA’s Assistant Country Representative Osareti Adori spoke yesterday in Lagos at the opening of a five-day training workshop on Minimum Intervention Service Package for Traumatised Women and Children, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) in Agege.

    Adori said government at all levels had shown commitment to fighting the scourge and ensure that the disease does not spread across the country.

    The UN official was optimistic that the synergy among the three tiers of government and the massive public advocacy would help the nation to win the war and prevent further casualties.

    He said: “What is important is the will. For the first time in a long time, I’ve not seen this country take so serious any issue like the Ebola issue, at the federal and state levels. I see a strong will to contain this situation and, where there is a will, there is a way.

    “This thing happened just about three weeks ago. But if you look at what they have done now, compared to where we are coming from, I would think that if the momentum continues, with the assistance of the international community, in a short while, we would be able to contain the Ebola virus.”

    On the training workshop, Adori said participants will be tutored on how to offer assistance to women and children during emergency situations.

    He added that the UNFPA was partnering the Lagos State Government to ensure that succour was provided to such victims.

  • ‘Rare Gems’ awards for the deserving

    ‘Rare Gems’ awards for the deserving

    Women and men committed to the development of the young ones were appreciated with deserving awards  during the immediate past International Women’s Day event, reports  Joke Kujenya.

    TUESDAY, March 11th, 2014 the rains poured heavily. Despite that, not a few women and men as well as students converged to commemorate the International Women’s Day (IWD). As they gathered, light music played at the background to enliven the atmosphere as there were awards to be dished out to deserving development people that had made remarkable impact on their respective communities. There was excitement in the air.

    The event had eight schools that made eight presentations with the outcome of a research made by other eight presented by one student who read their citation. But in all, 16 secondary schools, selected from four different categories, namely government, military, missionary and private schools, were in attendance. Eight of them were asked to create original presentations based on the focus of respective MDG. Another eight were each given a list of 10 criteria to research on and nominate a total of three women, men or organisations for awards in specific areas.

    Their findings were also related to the achievement of the MDGs in Nigeria. Then, a list of 24 nominees was presented to the judges who were given the criteria to study prior to choosing the final eight winners.

    Also at the gathering was a high-powered representation from the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNODC, UNFPA, UNAIDS as well as the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC).

    Speaking on the theme ‘Inspiring Change’ with the sub-theme ‘Women as Peacemakers’, at the 10th Rare Gem Awards event, which she described as the import of the day, National Coordinator, Women’s Optimum Development Foundation (WODEF), Mrs. Bimbo Oloyede, who also is a veteran journalist and newscaster, said the event was initiated, not only to commemorate IWD 2014, but to showcase the new set of Rare Gems awardsee as they could all look at the students being nurtured over the years, grow up and brimming with hope and enthusiasm, trusting that they will have a bright future.

    She said: “We can look at ourselves too, living in freedom, in health and in peace. But now, let us spare a thought for women around the world who are challenged with fear, poverty and hunger, whose children cannot determine their fate or future.”

    She noted that it has become paramount for everyone, especially the womenfolk, mothers, to turn their minds to the children of Buni Yadi in Yobe State. “We also have other children and women whose lives have been cut short by senseless violence in the northern parts of Nigeria.” On that, she called for a minute silence with a stand-up in their honour, saying, “This is the least we can do for them from here,” and then added, “may their souls rest in peace.”

    “However, I want us to congratulate the 10th group of Rare Gems being presented and to appreciate their efforts in the development space. It has also become important to applaud the principals, teachers and students who have worked so hard on the presentations.

    From what was submitted to us, it is clear that our children are creative, original, sensitive and far more in tune with their environment than we give them credit for. I will thus like those students who carried out the research to be upstanding as they were painstaking, determined and discerning in their choice of nominees, commending them for a job well done!“

    Thereafter, citations were made as respective women, teachers and mentors went forward to receive their awards one after the other. Each person that was called got a ‘well done’ handshake from the National Coordinator and a few representatives of the other organisations in attendance.

    Oloyede noted further that the essence of the day especially dovetailed into the UN Women’s theme of equality and progress for the fact that “we cannot achieve either, without peace and change.” She added: “With the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), deadline less than one year away, it is not only an appropriate time for youths to become more aware of current happenings, but also as tomorrow’s leaders, they should also become part of the change that is necessary for progress and development.

    “This is why WODEF and others believe we must encourage young people to key into post-2015 gender concerns by engaging them in various activities that expose them to development initiatives in Nigeria. Our strategy is to involve them directly in the Rare Gems project which WODEF, in partnership with UNIC and other UN agencies, had hosted nine times since year 2000 during which about 85 awards had been presented to those who have impacted on their communities. These set of people also confront factors with which their contemporaries contend daily in other parts of the country and indeed other parts of the world. WODEF also feels that this is a very potent way of not only bringing public attention to the MDGs but also to the individuals that promote and actualise them.” According to her, the project was inaugurated in November 2013, during the ’16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence’, an international campaign that emanated from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 created to raise awareness about domestic violence and women’s human rights.

    In the presentation of the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, it was stated that it has become apparent that while the involvement of women in building the world has been evident, the simple truth must be central as we work to accelerate progress towards the MDGs by 2015 deadline and craft an agenda for the years beyond. She added, “I also have a message for my fellow men and boys: play your part. All of us benefit when women and girls your mothers, sisters, friends and colleagues –can reach their full potential. Together, let us work for women’s rights, empowerment and gender equality as we strive to eliminate poverty and promote sustainable development. Equality for women is progress for all!”

  • UNFPA report: Why girls become mothers

    UNFPA report: Why girls become mothers

    •Teenage pregnancy in developing countries hits 20,000 daily

    THIS year’s State of World Population released by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has identified poverty, limited or no access to sexual and reproductive health and lack of education, among others, as the major reasons young girls become pregnant.

    According to the report, no fewer than 20,000 girls below age 18 give birth daily in developing countries. Nine in 10 of these births occur within marriage or a union, it added.

    It said girls who are 15 years and below account for two million of the yearly total of 7.3 million new adolescent mothers.

    The report, entitled Motherhood in Childhood: Facing the challenge of adolescent pregnancy, revealed that motherhood in childhood is a huge global problem, especially in developing countries.

    “Of these 7.3 million births, 2 million are to girls 14 or younger, who suffer the gravest long-term health and social consequences from pregnancy, including high rates of maternal death and obstetric fistula.

    It said the number of births to girls under 15 could rise to three million a year in 2030, if current trends continue.

    UNFPA said adolescent pregnancy has serious impacts on girls’ education, health and long-term employment opportunities.

    The report said impoverished, poorly educated and rural girls are more likely to become pregnant than their wealthier, more urban, and more educated counterparts.

    Girls from ethnic minorities or marginalised groups, and those who have limited or no access to sexual and reproductive health are also at greater risk.

    Girls 14 and younger are at double the risk of maternal death and obstetric fistula.

    “Motherhood in childhood” offers a new perspective on adolescent pregnancy, looking not only at the girls’ behaviour as a cause of early pregnancy, but also at the actions of their families, communities and governments.

    UNFPA Executive Director, Prof Babatunde Osotimehin, said: “Too often, society blames only the girl for getting pregnant but the reality is that adolescent pregnancy is most often not the result of a deliberate choice, rather the absence of choices, and of circumstances beyond a girl’s control. It is a consequence of little or no access to school, employment, quality information and health care.”

    He said early pregnancy takes its toll on a girl’s health, education and rights, adding that it also prevents her from realising her potential and adversely impacts the baby.

    He said children having children severely impacts communities and nations’ economies.

    Chairman, Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), Lagos Sector, Prof Oluwarotimi Akinola, said teenage pregnancy is a challenge. It is a serious adolescent and reproductive health right issue, he added.

    He said the fertility rate of the country is 5.7, which is quite high, may be the reason why some teenagers get pregnant.

    Akinola recommended advocacy as an important tool to achieving a reduction in underage pregnancy, stressing that it is part of family planning issues.

    A don at the Department of Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Prof Adetokunbo Fabamwo, said political will is necessary to reduce teenage pregnancy.