The worrying increase in teenage pregnancies in Fiji should not be blamed solely on the church, according to a senior Methodist Church official. Reverend Jolame Lasawa, General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, stressed that addressing teenage pregnancy is a shared responsibility that requires a collaborative effort instead of attributing fault to a single entity.
His remarks come amid rising rates of teenage pregnancies noted following major events and during school holidays. Opposition Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister for Health and Medical Services, Peioni Ravunawa, expressed concern about this issue during the ongoing Term Two break for primary and secondary school students.
As the school holidays commence, many events are taking place nationwide, including church conferences, youth camps, and festivals. The Ministry of Health reported that its Health Information Unit documented 1,279 cases of teenage pregnancy between 2018 and 2021. Of these cases, 1,057 were among iTaukei, 178 among Indo-Fijians, and 44 from other ethnic backgrounds.
Reverend Lasawa pointed out that teenage pregnancy is a widespread concern not only in schools but also in village communities. The data shows that the Central Division had the highest number of cases at 636, followed by 350 in the Western Division, 60 in the Northern Division, and 11 in the Eastern Division.
“We have our education and youth departments actively working to tackle issues related to teenage pregnancy. While the church often receives criticism, the responsibility should rest with all of us,” Reverend Lasawa remarked.
Opposition MP Ravunawa added that teenage pregnancy and childbirth significantly contribute to higher dropout rates among high school girls, increased health and foster care expenses, and various developmental challenges for children born to teen mothers. He noted that teen pregnancies elevate the risk of premature births, low birth weight, and tragically, a higher risk of infant mortality.