109 teenage pregnancies reported last year, youngest being 12-years-old

There were 109 teenage pregnancies reported last year and the youngest girl to get pregnant was 12-years-old.

This has been revealed by the Assistant Director Child Services Unit, Ela Tukutukulevu at a workshop for Faith Based Organisations.

The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation has also highlighted that 1 in 10 girls are alienated by their families and in these cases, the Ministry has Homes of Hope that takes in the girls and their babies.

Homes of Hope then assists the girls with raising their child, while at the same time providing these girls with skills training, to help them earn an income.

The Ministry has also encouraged the girls that there is a lot more to life, and to talk with their respective family members to encourage the children to complete their education if they can.

In cases where girls want to raise their own child, the Ministry has a Care and Protection Allowance of $50 vouchers a month under the Social Protection Assistance program that is provided to the girls to assist them in purchasing basic necessities for her child.