BECAUSE I AM A GIRLTEEN PREGNANCY

BYST. MAARTEN GIRLS’ BRIGADE

Kamilah, Charisse, Jemila, Reshma & Errissa

Teen Pregnancy Facts - Worldwide

According to UNFPA State of the World

Population 2013, every day in developing

countries, 20,000 girls below age 18 give birth.

9 out of 10 of these births occur within marriage

or a union.

Teen Pregnancy Facts – St. Maarten

In 2007, 10.37% of all births on St. Maarten

were to teen mothers. Less than 5% of those

births occurred in a marriage or union.

WE DEFINITELY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH

TEEN PREGNANCY ON ST. MAARTEN.

PROBLEM

TOO many young girls

are becoming

pregnant as Teenagers.

Miss Teen St. Maarten 2012 shares

A TEEN

MOTHER’S SAGA

At the tender age of 17, our interviewee became pregnant. While her

family was very supportive to her, in the beginning her mom took it very hard,

nonetheless, she stood by her and supported her.

Our interviewee took it upon herself to take on the responsibilities that

came with being pregnant. She left her mother’s home and cared for her son.

Three months after the birth of her son, she left to go to college for one year.

During this time, not being with her son, she experienced breasts full

of milk and it was very painful, which brought an emotional strain and burden

for her.

During this time, she was not able to be a mother to her son. She was

also not able to buy things that girls at that age would be able to buy or even to

put money towards her education like she would have want to….

she had to put that money towards raising her son.

Having her son, delayed her education – it took her 10 years to get her

first degree as she had to work and study part-time.

Eventually she had to leave her son a second time to continue her

education. While she took on the responsibility of raising her son,

most of her friends were off to school and it did not allow her to have

much of a social life.

This experience made her life more challenging and took a lot out of

her. The experience also robbed her son of things that a mother

should do for her son, because of these challenges.

She is proud of her son and thinks she has been a good example

showing others to be committed.

She is now the Acting Head of the Education Department on our island.

Ms. Teen QueenSXM 2012relays the

Positive message

fromthis teenage

mom

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=BC1cabP623cxyM&tbnid=ARR5cLP9puRsfM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://sojo.net/magazine/2013/03/real-world-solutions&ei=CSiGUsunMZGEkQeL7YGwAw&bvm=bv.56643336,d.eW0&psig=AFQjCNEEPd6Z2A8aEUeREfGMb7tHBY_2Qg&ust=1384609992625850

Solution #1for Teen Pregnancy on St. Maarten

(possibly worldwide)

We need a comprehensive sex education

curriculum within our school system and

society, and a support program that not only

educate but engage youths on the effects of

teenage pregnancy on all aspects of their life.

Solution #2- ABSTINENCE IS THE KEY

Conclusion

We have to work together to achieve this.

Let us PRAY for our Girls

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=6M7B266oigIMvM&tbnid=mP7Bg2YB2QPnfM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://de.fotolia.com/id/37948379&ei=_ymGUpGoKoS7kQf53YHwAw&psig=AFQjCNEMDs3k1BdakH3JksxhZuyNe8RR8g&ust=1384610632235427