Turn taboo into transformation
Tackle teenage pregnancy with sex education
Sex education is still a taboo subject in Samoa and as a result, issues like teenage pregnancy become a reality.
Talofa! My name is Jeannie Fa'anana Ainu'ū and I am concerned that even in this modern day and age, sex education is not mandatory in schools, and I believe this contributes to rising cases of teenage pregnancy resulting in missed or unequal opportunities for these new mothers.
As a young female in Samoa with close friends who have experienced teenage pregnancy, the issue holds personal significance to me on multiple levels. Firstly, witnessing the challenges and hardships that my friends have faced as teenage mothers has made me acutely aware of the real-life consequences of teenage pregnancy.
I've seen how it can disrupt their education, limit their opportunities for personal and professional growth, and place immense strain on their mental and emotional well-being. Seeing my friends struggle has fueled my desire to advocate for better support, fair treatment, and resources for young mothers in our community.
I am not a victim of teenage pregnancy, but I have a very close friend who is a university student and is pregnant. Throughout her pregnancy journey few signals has been slacking. At the university, there are no policies to protect the pregnant teenagers.
Also, her being pregnant disrupts her ability to attend classes regularly, leading to missed lessons and falling behind in coursework. And not to forget how she struggles financially, balancing the costs of healthcare, transportation and other expenses which is so overwhelming for her as she is still dependent on family or have limited income.
I also feel that she is isolated from her peers and social networks, as her experiences diverge from those of her non-pregnant peers. Such lack of support can significantly impact her ability to continue her education and pursue her goals which I think can also lead to unemployment.
But this is where the narrative really starts to pick up steam. There is a significant gap in the way pregnant women are treated across different sectors, for instance, pregnant teenagers who are studying versus those who are employed.
The disparity in treatment between women working who receive maternity leave benefits, and pregnant teenage students who may not have similar recognition or support, highlights an inequality that I feel needs to be addressed. Maternity leave is an essential benefit that allows women to take time off from work to care for their newborns without fear of losing their jobs or income.
However, when pregnant teenage students do not receive similar support and recognition for their unique needs, it perpetuates a cycle of inequality and disadvantage. This all relates to the case of my friend who is a victim dealing with the fallout from teenage pregnancy. Not only was she ripped off from getting opportunities, but she was also left out from achieving one of our long-standing ambitions as best friends - that is, graduating together this year and accomplishing all our dreams together.
But teenage pregnancy can be addressed if we recognize the importance of sex education and include that in the school curriculum so teenagers can make informed decisions. Sex education is discussed openly either during science classes in high school or at the university. However, by the time students reach university it gets too late because prep-year is when girls are most vulnerable. Prep-year is the year before entering university.
I also feel that it is important to provide teenage mothers with appropriate support and accommodations which are crucial for ensuring their well-being. This may include policies that allow for flexible attendance, extensions on assignments, access to counseling and healthcare services, and other forms of support tailored to their needs.
Currently, we are experiencing high rates of teenage pregnancy, but if sex education is not made mandatory in schools, it can spark additional issues among teenagers, such as rising cases of sexually transmitted infections, as well as long-term consequences of teenage pregnancy including unemployment, poverty and so on.
