Comedianne-actress Tuesday Vargas (left) facilitates the open forum with teenage mothers, led by movie and TV personality Andi Eigeman  

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) participated in the First National Summit on Teen Pregnancy organized by its attached agency, the National Youth Commission (NYC), held at the Heritage Hotel, Manila.

The summit brought together some 500 youth-participants and key stakeholders to call attention, heighten consciousness and raise awareness on teen pregnancy and its consequences.

The theme of the summit, “Addressing Teen Pregnancy, Working for a Brighter Future,” aims to identify strategies and programs for sustainable interventions and develop a general plan of action.

In her message, Undersecretary Parisya H. Taradji, who represented DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman, cited the 2010 National Youth Assessment Study, which showed that 38% of 15-17 year-olds, 44% of 18-24 year olds and 41% of those in the 25-30 age group think that early sexual encounter is acceptable in today’s society. Likewise, high incidence of early sexual encounter involves the 15-17 age group.

Undersecretary Taradji further quoted the survey that early sexual encounter could also lead to sexually transmitted disease/infections (STD/STIs), emotional problems and early pregnancy.

Undersecretary Taradji shared that the study revealed that the youth themselves recognize teenage pregnancy as one of the main reasons for failing to finish school.  Other realities of teen pregnancy faced by young mothers include reduced employment opportunities and social stigma.

Moreover, the National Statistics Office (NSO) noted that the number of maternal deaths for teenage women ranged from 82 at the lowest (2001) to as high as 164 (2010).  Likewise, it is alarming that the number of teenage mothers is increasing, from 7.1 percent in 2000 to as high as 11.7 percent in 2010.

Undersecretary Taradji emphasized that while parents have the primary responsibility to protect and promote the well-being of their children, government agencies, civil society organizations, faith-based organizations and other stakeholders should also assist parents and youth in addressing this concern.

Undersecretary Taradji also cited the different programs and interventions being implemented by the DSWD to address emerging issues and concerns of children and youth, including teenage pregnancy.

“I believe that this summit is an important venue to identify action plans & strategies and to converge efforts for sustainable interventions to address the problem of teenage pregnancy. Together, we can build a brighter future for young ones,” Undersecretary Taradji said. ###