The dialogued happened at Bathurst Street in Freetown, during the previous weekend.
Country Director Aberdeen Women Center, Augustine Kutubu Kosia extended his appreciation to Preyian Foundation for what he described as active role on teenage mothers issues, he said the tackling of teenage pregnancy must be a national concern, he pointed out that over seven millions girls got pregnant every year and sierra Leone is contributing to that figure, he noted that the prohibition of sexual health and reproductive education in schools and homes, early marriage and poverty are the key factors of teenage pregnancy , he confirmed that pregnancy in an early age has a lot of complication such as education, and health issues. He concluded by encouraging everyone to actively involved in tackling of teenage pregnancy.
The Director of Preyian Foundation, Precious Ebidu Lamin said that the foundation was established to help teenage mothers, as a result of the fact that teen-mums have prospects and potential to be reintegrated in the society, and that they could be women of substance as well as meaningful citizens. She encouraged the teen-mothers to see themselves as developmental partners and they should not see themselves as societal dropped or left out.
She furthered that their intention for the girls is to help them bounce back and be role models in the society, also reduce the high rate of teenage pregnancy as well as encouraging teenage mothers to rebuild themselves in order for them to make meaningful societal impact.
Commissioner National Commission for Children, Olayinka Laggah in her addressed to teenage mothers during the discussion, said that parents has significance role to play owning to the fact that most parents did not give their children the required attention they needed after they had given birth.
She affirmed that teenage mothers are facing serious societal challenges such as stigmatization in their respective communities, family rejection, and dropped out of school she admonished parents to engage their children in sexual reproductive education and the dangers of early sexual engagement.
Child Protection Officer Defense for Children, Hawanatu Mansaray said that education must be the mace to break the circle of poverty, owning to the fact that unremitting education on the circle of development would help teenage mothers to rehabilitate and be reintegrated into our society.
Hawanatu emphasized that both formal and informal education would be necessary to restore the self-esteem as well as empowering teen-mums to be national developmental partners. She also admonished parents of teenage mothers to be supportive, shelved the past as well as be responsible to accept their fate for the betterment of their girls.
She concluded by calling on government to foster a level playing field for teenage mothers, in order for them to have complete access to quality education, without any form of stigmatization and discrimination.
