Public discussions and community mobilization events for teenagers from 22 communities in five districts will be held in the course of 2018. These will be organized by the United Nations Reproductive Health and Rights Agency (UNFPA) with the aim of informing teenage girls about reproductive health, their potential and how they can take correct decisions about their future, IPN reports.
The announcement was made in the first round of discussions that was held in Chisinau on March 6. This involved about 100 people from the districts of Orhei, Cahul, Falesti and Rezina and from Chisinau municipality, who accepted to become agents of change for girls from 22 communities. The UNFPA said the education appropriate to age, in the family and at school helps the girls realize their dreams and potential. That’s why discussions will be held at community level.
According to the UNFPA Representative in Moldova Rita Columbia, the way from adolescence to maturity is not at all easy for girls from villages. “The girls face the risk of remaining pregnant while they are still students. Their health is affected if they give birth at an early age. They can face domestic violence and limited opportunities,” stated Rita Columbia.
The UNFPA Representative in Moldova noted that the public discussions are needed for promoting the rights of girls and for making their voice heard. This change is possible and rather realistic. When a girl manages to exercise her rights and to distinguish herself, to take decisions about her own life, she and all those around only gain,” said Rita Columbia.
Elena Belei, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, said it is important for the young women in Moldova to be encouraged to distinguish themselves, to be taught to speak about their problems, to be encouraged to seek help and find solutions to problems.
A study conducted in 2015 shows that over 2,600 young women in Moldova, especially from rural areas and socially deprived families, annually become mothers at an early age. Each tenth abortion is among girls aged between 15 and 19. According to specialists, when a teenage girl becomes pregnant, she gives up studies and cannot build a future.
