The significant increase in teenage pregnancies in Fiji is a collective issue that should not be singled out to blame the church, according to a prominent official from the Methodist Church. Reverend Jolame Lasawa, General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, stressed the necessity for a unified approach to tackle this problem, especially in light of rising rates observed after large events and during school vacations.
His remarks were made during the current Term Two break, which has seen many events taking place nationwide, including church conferences, youth camps, and festivals. Opposition Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister for Health and Medical Services, Peioni Ravunawa, has raised concerns about the situation amidst these school holidays.
The Ministry of Health’s Health Information Unit reported 1,279 teenage pregnancy cases from 2018 to 2021, with 1,057 involving iTaukei individuals, 178 Indo-Fijians, and 44 from other ethnic groups. Reverend Lasawa pointed out that this issue is not limited to schools; it affects village communities as well.
The statistics demonstrate that the Central Division has the highest number of cases at 636, trailed 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 teenage pregnancy issues. While the church often faces criticism, the responsibility must be shared by everyone,” Reverend Lasawa remarked.
MP Ravunawa further commented on the implications of teenage pregnancies, noting their role in increasing dropout rates among high school females, as well as escalating health and foster care expenses. He highlighted that children born to teen mothers face a variety of developmental challenges, with the pregnancies also posing severe risks that can lead to premature births, low birth weight, and a higher likelihood of infant mortality.