A 12-year-old girl giving birth in Samdrup Jongkhar would have gone unnoticed if she had not taken her baby to a BHU after complications. According to the Respect, Educate, Nurture, and Empower Women (RENEW), many such cases across the country go unreported. Data with the organisation shows that there were around 200 cases of teenage pregnancy last year from 17 districts.
The RENEW says increasing cases of teenage pregnancy which is mostly under-reported is a big concern. The organisation has been helping and sheltering victims of such cases. RENEW officials say people are hesitant to report such cases as it is pre-age and out of marriage pregnancies, mainly due to community stigmatisation.
Officials shared the pandemic and lockdowns have worsened the situation and perpetrators are mostly close ones or someone they know.
“Many have been sexually exploited by their own family members. To cite some example, we have a few young girls in the shelter who are ready to give birth anytime within June or July. Some of them are 13 years old and some are 17 years old. These are the stark reality and we have to do something about it,” said Tshering Dolkar, the Executive Director of RENEW.
RENEW says it plans to meet up with relevant agencies to discuss what can be done to address the issue. They will also be increasing their advocacy and awareness programmes.
BBS tried to get the health ministry’s statistics on teenage pregnancy in the country but they said it is not ready yet.
Kinley Dem
