The significant increase in teenage pregnancies in Fiji is a concern that cannot be laid solely at the feet of the church, according to a senior official from the Methodist Church. Reverend Jolame Lasawa, General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, stressed that addressing teenage pregnancy requires a collaborative effort and should not be attributed to any single organization.
His remarks followed a noted rise in teenage pregnancies that has occurred after major events and during school holidays. Opposition Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister for Health and Medical Services, Penioni Ravunawa, has raised this issue amidst the ongoing school break for both primary and secondary students.
The holidays have commenced, featuring various events across the nation such as church conferences, youth camps, and festivals. The Ministry of Health’s Health Information Unit reported 1,279 cases of teenage pregnancies from 2018 to 2021. Within these figures, 1,057 cases were identified as iTaukei, 178 as Indo-Fijians, and 44 from other ethnic backgrounds.
Reverend Lasawa pointed out that teenage pregnancy is a widespread problem occurring not just in schools but also within village communities. The data reveals that the Central Division recorded the highest number of teenage pregnancy cases, totaling 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 engaged in addressing teenage pregnancy issues. Although the church is often critiqued, this responsibility falls on all of us,” Reverend Lasawa remarked. Opposition MP Ravunawa also emphasized that teenage pregnancies significantly contribute to female dropout rates in high school, increase health and foster care costs, and create various developmental challenges for children born to young mothers.
“Teen pregnancies elevate the risk of premature births, low birth weights, and tragically, a higher likelihood of infant mortality,” Ravunawa added.