Did you know that in 2021 out of 5936 teenage girls’ population aged 12-19, two hundred and twelve (212) cases of teenage pregnancy was reported and out of which 25.5% were aborted?
According to statistics, in 2021 five abortions were reported from girls aged 10-14 years, 49 abortions from girls aged 15-19, 72 abortions from the age group of 20-24, 92 from the age group 25-29 and 69 from the age group 30-34.
Alarming figures which show that sexual activity from both male and female start at quite a young age.
To raise awareness on this topic, the Youth and Sports department in collaboration with the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) gathered youth from different schools and post-secondary institutions and districts to talk about the reproductive system.
According to the principal secretary for Youth and Sports, Ralph Jean-Louis, this forum aimed to push further debates and discussions at national level which will in return call for a review to align and adjust relevant laws, policies and services of various stakeholders, which are affecting our youths in regards to their reproductive health.
He also shared that our youths are facing many challenges among which is their reproductive health that we tend to refer to it as sexual health.
“Since the youth today are being affected by many policies and legislations and there is the perception that they are not being consulted prior to the enactment of such and also that their concerns are not being addressed, the Youth and Sports department with the mandate to make policy recommendations for the wellbeing of the youth hereby creates this platform to allow youths to be informed through presentations from different perspectives and to voice out their concerns on the issue of youth reproductive health.”
Loréa Rassool, a private midwife, presented some interesting facts and figures about the reproductive health in Seychelles. “The World Health Organisation considers teenage pregnancy for women aged 19 years or below. The trend in Seychelles is showing an increase in teenage pregnancy in most districts. A young girl finds it difficult to admit that they are pregnant, but by the time they admit that they are pregnant it is already late. We also have to look into the responsibility of the boy, as the baby was not made alone!” remarked Ms Rassool.
Ms Rassool also spoke about the different contraception methods that the youth can use and also spoke about the different forums where this topic has been talked about.
She proposes that to reduce teenage pregnancies, the Family Planning should be reinvented as the percentage of unplanned pregnancies is very high in every age group.
“The law should be changed and also re-enforced and modify the sexual education in schools.”
Chantal Melanie, nurse manager at the Youth Health Centre, seized the opportunity to talk about the services the Youth Health Centre offers and stated that the reproductive health issues affecting adolescents/youth in Seychelles are mainly because of early sexual debut/initiation; teenage pregnancy, abortion, sexually transmitted infections/Hepatis B and C, HIV/Aids and substance use and abuse which lead to mental health.
“According to the Termination of Pregnancy Act 1994 (consolidatedin 2012), in Seychelles termination of pregnancy is legal with restriction. Abortion is defined as the termination of a pregnancy below 12 weeks. The procedure is performed at the Victoria Hospital. Counselling prior to and after the procedure and followed up at a Family Planning clinic. For persons below 18 years old, decision regarding termination of pregnancy has to be approved by the parent,” shared Ms Melanie.
Angel Jeannevol from the social affairs department talked about the legislation that protect the rights of children in Seychelles and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“Our department is continually working with the youth in the community and the problems facing the youth are mainly: sexually transmitted diseases, financial constraints, peer pressure, health problems, dysfunctional families, abortion, emotional distress (low self-esteem and self worth), teenage pregnancy, limited access to all types of contraception, psychosocial support and impact on formal education (school drop out),” shared Ms Jeannevol.
The Social Affairs department is advocating for more parental involvement in youth reproductive health; improvement in relationships between the youth and parents; harmonization of laws and legislations; self-discipline (abstinence); improvement on building self-esteem in our youths; more education to the youths and their rights and responsibilities and initiation and / improvement on existing programmes that will have an impact on youth sexual health.
Sharing her views with our newspaper, Angelique Julienne, a panellist, noted that there is lack of discussion on this topic. “Every year there is a talk about the theme but the problem is recurring. With social ills, problems are increasing, parents should also be invited to these programmes. Platforms like this are very important for the young people but we would also like to be heard and action should be taken. If nothing is done it is quite pointless to have us sitting and listening to the presentations. Education and communication are very important and modernized to reflect what is happening in Seychelles.”
Jonathan Volcy, a participant, remarked that looking at these figures, there is a disparity regarding the education we are receiving and the end product we are expecting.
“Being here, we will see how we can help link these two. The reality is there is not enough communication and the youth will always choose the fastest and easiest way. As youth we will see what can be done to save our country.”
The presentations were then followed by lively debates.
Source: Seychelles Nation
