Let girls be girls

fetal neurodevelopment and child outcomes

◆ Postpartum depression and the girls do not always get opportunities to process.

◆ Insomnia (inability to get to sleep or difficulty staying asleep) or hypersomnia (sleeping too much) nearly every day and this is not healthy for them.

◆ Fatigue, tiredness, or loss of energy nearly every day (e.g., even the smallest tasks, like dressing or washing can affect them.)

◆ Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day (e.g., ruminating over minor past failings and this makes them more vulnerable.

◆ Recurrent thoughts of wanting to die, recurrent suicidal ideas. ◆ Depressed mood which can cause abuse of substances. Apart from this they suffer from a whole lot of psychosomatic problems. How we can help reduce teenage

pregnancies a) Parents improve communication with your children-maintain conversations with teens about relationships and sexual decisions. Allow space for you and your children to talk about sexuality issues or refer to people you trust e.g. youth leaders, relatives for help.

b) Encourage your children to abstain from sexual intercourse and parents stop giving your girl children to men

c) Create opportunities for your teens to learn about managing sexuality in a healthy manner.

d) Churches and local authorities you can implement teen pregnancy prevention program in your areas You can also have “youth development behavioural interventions” This is where you can emphasize social and emotional competence, improved decision making and positive bonding experiences with adult role models.

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This article is a call to action STOP TEENAGE pregnancies. Let Girls be Girls, Keep them safe and in keep them in school. If you need any help to establish programme in your community, church and local authority to reduce teenage pregnancies, feel free to contact

Dr Mazvita Machinga a qualified psychotherapist located in Mutare. Call 0771754519 or 0778 838410

Email:mmazvi@yahoo.com