There have been at least two dozen known cases of underage pregnancies within the past year in Region Nine and residents fear the numbers are far higher and are urging an intervention by government to address the situation.
They say that no one knows the true extent of the situation as there are at least 60 villages scattered across the region and one only becomes aware of the situation when a girl experiences complications and has to be rushed to the primary health care facility at Lethem. According to them, suspected cases have been reported to regional officials and the police but many are not investigated.
Carl Parker, a resident and regional councillor said that one probation officer for the entire region is grossly inadequate and unless she is given the support to execute her duties effectively, the full extent of the problem will remain unknown. According to him, underage pregnancy is known throughout the region but attempts to deal with them are almost nonexistent.
Stabroek News emailed questions to Minister of Human Services Jennifer Webster last week and though the email was acknowledged, responses are yet to be received.
However, a source with knowledge of the situation told this newspaper that nationwide for last year alone there were over 100 cases of girls between ages 12 and 15 becoming pregnant. In almost every case, the father was a man close to the girl, particularly a stepfather. The source said the majority of these cases are from the interior locations and Region Nine may be high on the list. According to the source, the figures for this year so far are similar to those of last year, but if this continues the overall figure may be higher than last year’s.
Parker, in an interview with Stabroek News, said that there have been several reports of underage pregnancies in the region. He said that in December two cases–one involving a 13-year-old and the other a 15-year-old–were discussed at a Regional Democratic Council statutory meeting and it was decided that an investigation would be done and a report subsequently submitted. Parker said that no such report was every received and based on his knowledge nothing was ever done.
He noted that underage pregnancies are prevalent in the region and are public knowledge among residents. He said a culture is developing where school girls are being allowed to go to discos, where “wild affairs” occur. He added that there are cases were some of the pregnant children run away from home and end up in neighbouring Brazil
“These things are public knowledge. It is not anything hiding,” he stated, while pointing out that persons may never know the extent of the problem, given the geographical make-up of the region. Villages, he added, tend to keep underage pregnancies “secret.”
He also noted that he does not believe that residents are being educated on sexual and reproductive health.
The recent case of a pregnant 12-year-old in the region came as no surprise to Parker although residents say a frightening situation is beginning to emerge. One source, who has some knowledge about the situation, told Stabroek News that there are several villages where there are known cases of pregnant girls and even identified one where there is said to be another 12-year-old who is pregnant. The source said that a lot of information is gathered from the girls, who end up at the Lethem Hospital to deliver their babies. They would identify other girls from their communities who are also pregnant.
Stabroek News was told of a case where a 15-year-old gave birth and was found to be living with an 18-year-old. This situation was known to the young man’s father. That matter is currently before the court.
The source insisted that a lot of cases are being swept under the carpet and expressed certainty that there are lot more cases within the region. Stabroek News was told of the case of a 14-year-old with two children, who delivered her first child at age 12.
According to the source, once a girl under age 16 ends up at the hospital, the matter is reported to police for them to take action but in most cases nothing is done.
Contacted about this, Crime Chief Leslie James, while unable to provide stats on the number of reports made within the past year, said that once such reports are received ranks are supposed to investigate.
The source also said that it is shameful that the region does not have a trafficking in persons officer or a Child Care and Protection Agency officer.
Probation officer facing constraints
Although there is a probation officer, she has faced several constraints in the performance of her duties. In addition to dealing with social issues, she is also the welfare officer who is responsible for the distribution of old age pension books. Parker said that the probation officer, who is based in Lethem, would usually get a lot of support from the Regional Executive Officer (REO). Without the help of the REO, he noted, the work of the probation officer would be ineffective. “The REO needs to give maximum support so that the probation officer can do her work so that we can stamp out this thing before it become an epidemic,” he stressed.
Stabroek News was told that the probation officer vacated her office about two months ago after she began experiencing bouts of illness due to its deplorable state. She could often be seen sitting outside the post office. This newspaper was told of one case where she was spotted at a guard hut counselling a family.
Based on what this newspaper was told, the office identified for the probation officer, who arrived in the area a year ago, has no electricity, no toilet facilities, poor ventilation and is often filled with a pungent odour which emanates from a nearby septic tank. The probation officer also does not have a vehicle at her disposal and as a result she is yet to visit most of the villages in the region.
Stabroek News was told that the Ministry of Human Services was repeatedly informed about the situation but nothing was done. Efforts to reach Region 9 Chairman Wilson Laurentino for a comment were futile.
One resident said that it is unfair that the probation officer had to leave her home on the coast to come face to face with discomfort in Lethem.
Parker said given the fact that Region Nine is the largest region, there should be multiple probation officers. “She needs persons to assist her especially with field work if we are going to keep on top of these many social issues,” he said.
Parker also expressed concern that there is no second chance for young girls after they deliver their babies. He said government should direct its energy towards ensuring that a technical institute is established so as to ensure that the youths living in the Rupununi not only have a second chance but the opportunity to do something after leaving secondary school.
Meanwhile, there are also calls being made for a special victims unit comprising police and social workers to be established to deal with child abuse and domestic abuse issues. Stabroek News was told that with such a unit, cases will be investigated at a faster rate, thereby decreasing the probability of the perpetrator being released before prosecution can begin. Many of the cases involving girls who have been raped are stalled because the perpetrator cannot be found.
