Parents Protest Against Teenage Pregnancy In Kabala in Sierra Leone

[CAI Team]

Story By Lamin A. Turay
Sep 2, 2008, 17:15



The increase in teenage pregnancy in the Koinadugu District has provoked a peaceful protest by parents in Kabala. The protest was supported by the local Radio, 94.7FM, through a discussion programme that was held on the 31st August, 2008.

The protesting parents blamed the Family Support Unit at the Kabala Police Station for not taking the appropriate measure in dealing with the perpetrators of cases of teenage pregnancies and rape cases. Talking to our reporter, Mr. Sinnah Marrah, one of the protesting parents, intimated that the FSU is treating cases pertaining to sex abuses generally with levity because of bribery. He said there has been not a single example of a case that has been prosecuted by the Police. Several homes in the district headquarter town complains that most of these teenage pregnant girls are primary school children. The ugly situation has created tension in the district.

Speaking to this press, the Commander of Operations at the Kabala Police Station, Mr. Morris Koroma denied the allegations that the Police have not been doing anything. He said that all cases related to teenage pregnancies and rape has been charged to court for the past six months. He said several cases were charged to court in 2007. He pointed out that in 2004, the FSU in partnership with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs and the Education Ministry formed a task force headed by the Inspector of Schools in the District, John S. Mansaray. The task force dealt with all cases related to child abuses. He added that on the 8th April 2008, UNICEF donated a vehicle and a motor bike to enable the Police combat gender based violence in the district. Mr. Koroma highlighted that the delay of trials at the court, medical fees and logistical support were among the challenges they faced. He also said that parents are in the habit of settling matters relating to child abuse out of court without the involvement of the Police and the court.

[Nemata Kamara]

hmmm very interesting article. As you said what can we do to change things. after reading this articles it seens to me that the teens are getting pregnant due to rape or sexual abuse.
-One way is to start investigating these rape cases and for the police department to do everything in their power to get these idiots out of the street. How can you get a primary school girl pregant. Someone thats so underdevelop and still maturing. na wa oooo. These children are truely voiceless and people like us can truely be a voice for these kids. Something needs to be done or else these idiots will continue victimizing these little kids.

[CHARLES S BOYE JR.]

I guess what we need to do for such a matter is how we can give out our different suggestion form all members in this site and make our own contribution on how to bring a stop to this matter. It is real and is a fact, i am leaven in Sierra Leone and i can concor it to everyone that this story is true.
I want to suggest that we right an international article and poblish it in all the News papers in Sierra Leone and in the net,and seek possible solution to it, am sure we will boost of our work as young people and people out there will begin to recommend us anywhere.
Hope to get more from you all
Charles
National Coordinator