Obrein Simasiku
A total of 500 minor school girls fell pregnant in the Oshikoto Region in the 2021 academic year, recording a one percent increase.
“ Teenage pregnancy rate has also increased to 15% from 14% last year. Therefore, there is reason for concern. We need to do things differently as leaders, parents, teachers and the general community and to work hand in hand to protect our young generation,” said Oshikoto governor Penda Ya Ndakolo, in his State of the Region Address delivered today.
He thus said that sexual education be taken very serious, as a way to protect young girls and shield them from diseases and poverty.
“The Directorate of Youth Development trained out of school youth in Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) through a project which is funded by the United States of America International Development Agency. Sexual education is very important among young people in curbing the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections and teenage pregnancies. To break the poverty cycle, we must protect the health of our young people both in and out of school youth,” urged Ya Ndakolo.
Addressing social issues, Ya Ndakolo said the region contributed to its human capital development by providing bursaries to 24 people living with disabilities, out of whom eight completed their studies in different fields.
The Directorate of Youth together with the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development trained six youth in civic education for them to partake in the charcoal production.
“To prepare the marginalized youth, both intellectually and socially, for their career and adult life, a total number of 10 students were enrolled in higher education institutions by the Division of Marginalized. Furthermore, 112 San learners were funded by Palm for Life to enrol in different courses at COSDEC training institute,” he added.
To alleviate poverty and hunger among the marginalized community, the government also distributes supplementary food to the marginalized community in all 11 constituencies of our Region. N$6 292 459 was spent on food on this initiative during financial year ended.
The marginalized communities are also given awareness of human rights to know their right to education, health, national documents, registration of social grants.”
In terms of social grants, a total of 53 195 people in the region are benefiting from monthly social grants.
