Dialogue meeting on teenage pregnancy in Alwi chiefdom 

By Prisca Oroma

Nebbi

Cultural leaders have called for full support from government and religious institutions in enforcing positive cultural practices if teenage pregnancy and forced marriage is to reduce

 Since the lock down in march last year following the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic, society has been grappling with teenage pregnancy and early /forced marriage

The issue of teenage and early child marriage has always been a blame game with stakeholders blaming each other for failing to take up their responsibilities.

Rwoth Charles Okumu Ombidi the chief of Ker Panyimur Kwonga said the different institutions have been working in isolation but now is the time to come together and fight this vice

“if we continue to ignore this, the next generation will be completely lost with no culture and morals” he said 

 He added that to restore the respect and cultural respect, there is need to bring back the fire place, so that our children can learn and practice their culture.

Janet Ulwora a woman representative said that the cultural institution has been rendered powerless due to religion and the different governing laws which criminalizes some of the practices  

“cultural institution can come out with pronouncements but if there is no government or religious leaders support, it might be difficult to implement” she said.