Motherhood in Childhood

ehaviours of boys and girls, or increasing use of
contraception.
Yet there are many innovative initiatives, not
featured in this chapter, that aim to reduce the
prevalence of child marriage, keep girls in school,
change attitudes about gender roles and gender
equality and increase adolescents’ access to sexual
and reproductive health, including contraception,
that have not yet been evaluated but warrant
further study to determine their effectiveness in
improving girls’ lives.
Two important lessons may be drawn from
countries’ experiences described in this chapter:
investing in girls empowers them in many ways,
including enabling them to prevent pregnancy;
and dismantling the barriers to girls’ enjoyment of
their rights and addressing the underlying causes
of adolescent pregnancy can positively transform
girls’ lives and futures.
The most vulnerable girls, including those who
are extremely poor, ethnic minorities or from
indigenous populations, and very young adolescents
who have been forced into marriage,
require additional support but are often left out
of development or sexual and reproductive health
programmes. In most cases, contextual data and
information about these girls are scarce or
non-existent, and little is known about their vulnerabilities
and challenges, so it is not surprising
that few governments or civil society organizations
have formulated policies, programmes or laws that
can protect or empower them.
A growing number of governments are investing
in adolescents in ways that empower them to
prevent a pregnancy, but fewer have invested in
systems and services that support a girl who has
become pregnant or who has had a child and that
can help protect her health and the health of her
child and help her realize her potential in life.
TOWARDS A NEW BEGINNING IN THE PHILIPPINES
Before Geah became pregnant at 17, she considered herself a typical
teenage girl who would hang out with friends and boyfriend, against
the wishes of her parents who thought she should stay home, focus on
her studies and finish school.
Though her pregnancy was unexpected, she said, she was excited
and happy to know that soon she would have a baby, just like some
of her friends did. Her boyfriend was happy about it too, but because
he did not have a job and depended on his parents, he could not offer
much help to her.
One day, Geah went to a health centre in Bago for a check-up. One of
the workers there knew Geah and informed her mother, who was furious
when she found out about the pregnancy but nevertheless promised to
support her and took her regularly to a clinic for antenatal care.
During the pregnancy, Geah remained in school but dropped out
after giving birth.
Several months later, she and her parents and younger brother were
invited to participate in a course to teach parents and family members
about adolescent health and development, to equip them with
knowledge and skills to understand the challenges faced by adolescent
mothers and to help them cope with the stressors. The course was
hosted by the Salas Youth ACCESS Center, established by the City
Government of Bago through the City Population Office in partnership
with Rafael Salas Foundation and with funding assistance from UNFPA
in the Philippines.
ACCESS is staffed by trained youth peer counsellors and caters to
the needs of both in-school and out-of-school youth.
Geah said that after the training, her parents understood her situation
better and gave her more support and encouragement. The lines of
communication with her parents also improved, she said.
Support from her parents and ACCESS enabled her to return to school.
ACCESS also provided contraceptives to help her delay her next pregnancy
until after she completes her education, which she says will help her
get a good job and make enough money to provide for her family.
—Angie Tanong, Commission on Population
THE STATE OF WORLD POPULATION 2013
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