PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Aug. 12 -- Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday led the launch here of the “Babaenihan”campaign which aims to raise awareness about the urgency of addressing teenage pregnancies through investments in education, health, and economic breaks.
The campaign targets teenagers, particularly girls in pubescent age, said Robredo at the Western Philippines University (WPU) campus in the city. She was welcomed by University president Dr. Elsa P. Manarpaac and other school officials.
A partnership project between her office and the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), the vice president said the campaign is a platform by which both can work to incite the public and private sectors to immediately act on the matter.
She said WPU and other educational institutions have the means to do something and help unravel the dilemma among young girls during school time.
“This is not just the fight of the school, not just the fight of parents. This is the fight of everyone. And by this campaign, we hope schools and parents will work together to enrich the lives of our young people. They can be more in the future without the problem of teenage pregnancy,” Robredo said.
The Philippines is the only country in Southeast Asia where teenage pregnancy is on the rise, said UNPF country representative Klaus Beck.
He cited the country's 2013 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) which noted that out of 10 million young girls between the ages 10-19, one will become a mother by the age of 19.
“Urgent action is needed to enable women and girls to expand capacities,” Beck said, adding they should also ensure their reproductive health and rights are protected, find decent jobs, and contribute to sustainable economic growth in their areas.
He added teenage girls need to have access to correct information, advice and services to understand early pregnancy in order to avoid them.
The Babaenihan campaign is in Puerto Princesa as part of its objective to conduct community-based talks throughout the country. (Ruth T. Rodriguez/PNA)
