Mwirang’ombe Youth Network secretary Prisca Gilbert says they plan to meet Karonga Nyungwe Constituency legislator Kenneth Ndovie to persuade him to table the Termination of Pregnancy Bill in Parliament.
She said this on Friday at Nyungwe in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwirang’ombe during a meeting that Ukhondo Service Foundation held to appreciate the impact of unsafe abortion among the youth and women in the area.
Said Gilbert: “It is sad that teen pregnancies, early marriages and unsafe abortions are rampant in T/A Mwirang’ombe.
“So, we want to lobby our parliamentarian to table the Bill in the august House.”
Karonga district youth-friendly health services coordinator MacLean Theu said between June 2023 and May 2024, Nyungwe recorded 1 684 teen pregnancies.
“It is worrisome to note that despite several interventions, the area is still registering many teen pregnancies,” he said.
Ukhondo Service Foundation executive director Edgar Phiri said the project seeks to eradicate cultural practices that contribute to teen pregnancies.
He said: “We are working with youth networks, community leaders and duty-bearers to find a long-term solution.
“However, the youth say they want the Bill tabled in Parliament.”
In a separate interview yesterday, Ndovie said the Bill prompted the clergy to march to Parliament in protest.
“Maybe we should conduct awareness for the youth because the Bill is deemed against cultural and religious values.”
