DKT Intl Marks World Contraception Day with a Call to Empower Individuals and Tackle Teenage Pregnancy

DKT International, a leading non-profit social enterprise dedicated to improving reproductive health and family planning, celebrated World Contraception Day 2024 under the theme Family Planning: Empowering Individuals for Choice.

The event brought together local leaders, healthcare providers, and community stakeholders to address the crucial issue of teenage pregnancy in the North-East region of Ghana.

In his keynote address, Alex Brown, Country Director of DKT International Ghana, emphasized the organization's commitment to providing affordable and effective contraceptive solutions while empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

"Today, as we mark World Contraception Day, we are reminded of the stark reality revealed by the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS, 2022): the North-East region has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the country," Brown stated.

"This is not only a health issue; it affects education, economic opportunities, and social equality, perpetuating cycles of poverty. We must break this cycle to create a better future for our young girls and communities."

In the lead-up to World Contraception Day, DKT International conducted a series of community outreach activities in Walewale, Nalerigu, and surrounding areas. These engagements aimed to address the underlying causes of teenage pregnancy and gather input from key stakeholders, including chiefs, religious leaders, parents, and youth.

"Through these discussions, it became clear that addressing teenage pregnancy requires more than just providing contraceptives. We need a holistic approach that includes education, awareness, and community support," Brown said. "Our efforts in these communities underscore the importance of involving civil society, government, traditional leaders, and healthcare providers in finding sustainable solutions to teenage pregnancy."

Brown further called on leaders, parents, educators, health professionals, and teenagers to come together to build understanding and create opportunities for young people to thrive, free from the constraints of early motherhood.

"As we move forward, DKT International remains committed to supporting the reproductive health and well-being of individuals and communities across Ghana," he concluded. "Together, we can ensure that every young girl has the chance to dream, to learn, and to thrive."
 

Naomi Obenewaah