THE adolescent birth rate in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) is at 6.5 per cent, almost twice the national average,according to the findings of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS),conducted in 2014.

It is against this backdrop and in accordance with the 2017-2021 Country Programme Document (CPD), that UNICEF has prioritised cross-sectoral initiatives to strengthen capacity at the regional and community levels to address challenges including adolescent pregnancy and to ensure the realisation of the rights of children. Women Across Differences (WAD) will work with UNICEF in all the sub-regions of Region Nine to implement the Comprehensive Empowerment Programme for the Prevention and Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancies in order to prevent and reduce pregnancies (including second pregnancies) among adolescents in that region. It is envisaged that this project will complement the impact that already exists from previous projects implemented by UNICEF and other stakeholders.

In a release, UNICEF noted that WAD is a non-governmental organisation which enables women and girls to empower themselves through access to social and economic resources. WAD, the agency said, has vast experience working with adolescent mothers over the past 10 years. The organisation also provides a forum for women and girls which encourages them to improve their communities and make their collective voice heard in the area of public policy.

WAD with support from UNICEF will, over the next 18 months, seek to further the realisation of a region with a significantly reduced incidence of adolescent pregnancies. This will be achieved through addressing adolescent pregnancy and providing life-skills support, livelihood skills guidance, referrals and provide access to quality of services.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the Ministry of Social Protection, WAD will utilise a three-pronged approach – i.e. – prevention of adolescent pregnancy; prevention of second pregnancies and life and livelihood skills for the adolescent, pregnant mother. WAD will ensure that persons are trained at the sub-regional level to prevent and address adolescent pregnancy. WAD and UNICEF signed an agreement on the 24th August, 2018 for an amount of $GYD 6,805,000.