As Uganda prepares to join the global community in celebrating International Youth Day 2024, alarming statistics highlight a crisis that continues to plague the nation: the failure of government laws and policies to effectively address teenage pregnancies and early marriages. According to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2016, 43% of women aged 25-49 were married before the age of 18 a figure that remains one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The situation is even more dire in rural areas, where 27% of girls aged 15-19 have already begun childbearing, according to a 2020 report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Leaders and experts point to systemic failures in the enforcement of existing laws and the implementation of policies aimed at curbing this trend.
Weak enforcement of laws intended to combat teenage pregnancies and early marriages has been cited as a significant factor contributing to the problem. Many children from poor families either enter into marriage or become pregnant at a younger age, often without intervention from their parents. This reflects broader social and economic vulnerabilities that exacerbate the issue.
The World Bank’s 2017 report underscores the severe consequences of teenage pregnancies, which contribute to 20% of infant deaths and 28% of maternal deaths in Uganda. The report suggests that addressing teenage pregnancies could lead to significant economic benefits, with reductions in under-five mortality and stunting rates potentially saving Uganda up to $275 million by 2030.
Cultural beliefs and economic pressures also play a critical role in perpetuating early marriages. In some communities, girls are viewed as sources of wealth, with parents marrying them off at a young age in exchange for dowry. Poverty creates vulnerability, and during economic hardships, it is often women and youth who suffer the most. The influence of peer pressure among teenagers further complicates efforts to address the issue.
The financial burden of teenage pregnancies is staggering. In 2020, families of teenage mothers spent an estimated UGX 1.28 trillion (US$290 million) on sexual and reproductive health services, while health facility expenditures on teenage mothers amounted to UGX 246.9 billion (US$70 million). Collectively, this represents 43% of the Ministry of Health’s 2019/20 budget.
Dr. Dinah Amongin, Vice Chairperson of Makerere University School of Public Health Regulatory Ethics Committee, emphasized the need for a multi-sectoral approach to tackle teenage pregnancies. She called for increased government efforts to keep girls in school as a preventive measure. “Teenage pregnancies require a multi-sectoral approach, starting with the family. Are parents empowered to speak to their children? COVID-19 taught us that children are safer in schools,” Dr. Amongin remarked, stressing the importance of education in safeguarding young girls’ futures.
In contrast to Uganda’s ongoing struggle, other nations are making strides in combating early marriages. For instance, Sierra Leone’s parliament recently enacted the Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill 2024, which criminalizes marriage for anyone under 18 and aims to protect girls from practices that violate their rights and hinder their development.
However, despite some progress, child marriage remains a widespread issue in Uganda. A 2020 UNFPA report found that nearly half of all girl-children in Uganda are affected, with 43% of women aged 25-49 reporting that they were married before the age of 18. The prevalence of defilement further compounds the problem, with the Uganda Police report of 2022 documenting 12,780 cases of defilement, of which 12,470 victims were female juveniles.
Challenges in law enforcement also hinder efforts to address these issues. In some communities, cases of defilement are resolved informally, with families accepting livestock in exchange for dropping charges. This practice undermines the rule of law and allows perpetrators to escape accountability.
As Uganda reflects on these sobering realities, it is clear that more robust and effective measures are urgently needed to protect the nation’s youth from the devastating impacts of teenage pregnancies and early marriages. The upcoming International Youth Day should serve as a call to action for all stakeholders to renew their commitment to safeguarding the future of Uganda’s young girls.
By Denis Kasule Ssebunya