When children bear children: Teenage pregnancy in PHL seen rising post-pandemic, signaling new trend for ‘younger childbearing’ | Roderick Abad

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte

Early childbearing is seen to become more prevalent anew in the Philippines, as it breeds an alarming new trend post-pandemic, when restrictive health protocols on social or physical distancing is no longer in effect, following the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Philippine government’s declaration of the end of Covid-19 being a health emergency here and abroad.

Teenage Pregnancy as a Health and Social Economic Issue

“Teenage pregnancy is a health and social economic issue in the Philippines and around the world, not only because pregnancy rates among teenagers remain significantly high, but also and most importantly, because of its implication on the growth, development and well-being of both a pregnant teenage mom and her child during the pregnancy and after childbirth,” said Vanessa G. Retuerma, director of Strategy Management, Impact and Learning Department of World Vision, during the Policy Forum on Teenage Pregnancy in Eastern Visayas held by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and World Vision on September 6 in Tacloban City, Leyte.

The Importance of Child Development

According to Retuerma, the lifecycle of a child’s development lasts until the teenage years—a very crucial stage where children’s bodies grow and develop physically, discover their interests and talents, begin to dream and aspire, and learn how to navigate life through their education, experiences and relationship.

“So there are many factors that we need to consider for us to ensure that all children meet their needs to help them grow healthy, well nourished, be educated, be protected and, most importantly, be empowered,” she said.

By the numbers

ADOLESCENT birth rate, while a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator in itself, is also closely related with other SDGs, the closest of which are SDG 3 (Health), SDG 4 (Education), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). All these seek a healthy life, well-being, inclusive and equitable education and environment for all, including children and women for a brighter future.

1. In June, the WHO reported that an estimated 21 million girls aged 15 to 19 years in developing regions, including the Philippines, become pregnant, and approximately 12 million of them give birth. Globally, adolescent birth rate (ABR) has gone down from 64.5 births per 1,000 women of the same age group in 2000 to 41.3 births for 1,000 women in 2023.
2. “Pregnancy among teenagers is more common among people with less education, or lower in socioeconomic level. Additionally, among these and other vulnerable populations, there is a lower success in adolescent first birth, which results in growing inequality,” noted United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-Philippines Project Coordinator Hanzel Luke P. Devera.
3. Such trend also holds true in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region, wherein 23 million adolescents aged 15 to 19 years old are currently married or in union, of which over 80 percent are girls. Majority or 15 million of them live in Southeast Asia. Across the region, 1 in 8 adolescent girls of the same age, and 1 in 50 boys are currently married or in union.
4. In Southeast Asia, 9 percent to 32 percent of adolescent pregnancies under 18 were conceived prior to marriage or cohabitation. This case is rather  high in the Philippines at 32.4 percent, followed by Vietnam, 32 percent; Indonesia, 26 percent; Laos, 24.4 percent; Timor Leste, 19.5 percent; and Cambodia, 9 percent.

Impacts of early child bearing

DATA show that adult men older than 20 years old father a significant proportion, or 59.5 percent, of adolescent pregnancies. These could be attributed to various social determinants.

Devera cited them as lower educational attainment and economic status, poor access to contraception, challenges in the implementation of comprehensive sexuality education, and limited service delivery points providing adolescent and youth-friendly SRH services.

“So over the years, the evidence and progress of the adolescent pregnancy have expanded with this new trend, bringing in a richer set of policy and heightened a sense of urgency in tackling the issue. Today, we know that adolescent pregnancy takes a great toll on girls, their families and, of course, their future,” he said.

On education, the impact would be measured on the predicted high-school completion

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
• Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
• Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
• Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex.
3. SDG 5: Gender Equality
• Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
• Indicator 5.3.1: Proportion of women aged 20-24 years who were married or in a union before age 15 and before age 18.

Analysis

The article discusses the issue of teenage pregnancy in the Philippines and its implications on health, education, and gender equality. Based on the content, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The issue of teenage pregnancy is closely related to SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all. Target 3.7 specifically focuses on universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services. The article highlights the need for comprehensive sexuality education and access to contraception to prevent teenage pregnancies.

• Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
• Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

The issue of teenage pregnancy also has implications on education, as it can hinder girls’ completion of quality education. SDG 4 aims to ensure that all girls and boys have access to free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education. The article mentions the impact of early childbearing on high school completion rates.

• Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
• Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex.

3. SDG 5: Gender Equality

The issue of teenage pregnancy is also connected to SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Target 5.3 specifically focuses on eliminating harmful practices such as child, early, and forced marriage. The article highlights the vulnerability of teenage girls to early childbearing and the need to address gender-based violence.

• Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
• Indicator 5.3.1: Proportion of women aged 20-24 years who were married or in a union before age 15 and before age 18.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: businessmirror.com.ph

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