Sex education, Drua
Adolescent pregnancy
RECENTLY while browsing Facebook, I noticed something worrying.
There seems to be an increase of single adolescent girls pictured with their newborn. I believe pregnancy among adolescents is a serious issue that has to be addressed urgently.
Wake up Fiji! The grim reality is that adolescent pregnancy is rampant across the country and has remained so for some time now, despite the periodic outcry whenever statistics on the matter are released.
This calls for greater effort in addressing this menace that blocks our girls’ path towards realising their full potential.
The gravity of the matter is wellknown.
Despite the rising numbers of adolescent pregnancies, parents, religious and political leaders are hesitant to address the matter.
Many parents eschew the topic of sex education as they find it awkward to have to discuss such matters with their children. This should, however, not be the case as it is their children’s future they are endangering.
The early pregnancy issue needs to remain at the top of the Government’s agenda, but the irony in our country is that it finds its way into public discourse only when triggered by certain events, after which it gets buried and we continue with business as usual.
There is an urgent need to address the drivers of adolescent pregnancies by coming up with and implementing relevant and cost-effective programs. From social media, peer pressure to religious beliefs, these are drivers or adolescent pregnancy.
We need to confront hard truths and realities on the issue with openness and honesty.
Whenever the idea of teaching sexuality issues crops up, it is often dismissed on the argument that it might end up encouraging teens to indulge in sex. This view needs to be reconsidered if we are to save our adolescents.
It is high time we came out and faced our problems without fear and deal with reality. Parents should be open with their children and allow them to express themselves where necessary.
These conversations are vital because sometimes young people indulge in sex due to curiosity or to find out how it feels, yet the results end up becoming a burden to them and their parents. Most males still think that contraception is the sole responsibility of the female and so rather than it takes two to make a baby, it becomes, she got pregnant and, on some level, it is now her responsibility.
So let’s educate our girls on daily issues that they are expected to encounter and we shall save them from early pregnancy and other sex-related challenges.
Just as there is no one “cause” for unintended pregnancy, there is no one simple solution.
WISE MUAVONO Balawa, Lautoka
Strong spirit
IN the Fijian Drua’s 24-27 loss to the Queensland Reds, in Suncorp Stadium, I am immensely proud of our “godown-fighting” spirit.
Towards the end of the third quarter, the Drua surged to score three converted tries, all of 21 huge points, in 17 amazing minutes. What an amazing effort. We take the loss, with much pride.
Whilst it is still “work in progress” I wish the Fiji Drua showed more than three points on the scoreboard in the first 40 minutes. What a difference this could have been?
Every Drua fan wishes our team well as they take on the Highlanders this coming weekend.
May sweet success and victory come your way, this time. Believe! You can deliver.
RONNIE CHANG
Martintar, Nadi