The significant increase in teenage pregnancies in Fiji should not be solely blamed on the church, but rather regarded as a collective issue that requires a community response, according to a leading Methodist Church official. Reverend Jolame Lasawa, the General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, stressed the need for a unified approach to tackle the teenage pregnancy problem, rather than attributing responsibility to a single organization.
Reverend Lasawa’s remarks come in light of a notable uptick in teenage pregnancies observed during large gatherings and school holidays. This concern was echoed by Opposition Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister for Health and Medical Services, Penioni Ravunawa, during the ongoing Term Two break for students.
As the holidays commence, numerous events are taking place throughout the country, including church conferences, youth camps, and festivals. The Ministry of Health’s Health Information Unit reported 1,279 teenage pregnancy cases from 2018 to 2021, with 1,057 cases among iTaukei, 178 among Indo-Fijians, and 44 from other ethnic groups.
Reverend Lasawa indicated that teenage pregnancy is a widespread issue affecting not only schools but also village communities. Statistics reveal that the Central Division recorded the most 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 address issues related to teenage pregnancy. While the church often faces criticism, the responsibility should be shared by everyone,” stated Reverend Lasawa.
Opposition MP Ravunawa highlighted the consequences of teen pregnancy and childbirth, which significantly contribute to dropout rates among high school females, increased healthcare costs, and various developmental challenges for children born to teenage mothers. He also noted that teen pregnancies pose a higher risk of premature births, low birth weight, and an increased risk of infant mortality.