MINISTER MORIKU REJECTS BIRTH CONTROL FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS BELOW 18 YEARS IN MOYO DISTRICT

Minister Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaduchu speaking during world AIDs day. Photo by Emmanuel Anyidi.

By Emmanuel Anyidi

Moyo

Minister of state for Primary Education Dr. Moriku Joyce Kaduchu who also doubles as the woman Member of Parliament for Moyo district has warned health workers under Civil Society Organization (CSOs) in the district against giving family planning contraceptives to girls in primary schools.

Speaking during the celebration of World AIDS day in Dufile sub-county, the minister revealed that, her ministry does not uphold any policy or law and even document to enable health worker to give family planning contraceptives to girls below 18 years in primary school across the district.

“Whoever administers contraceptives to young girls in primary school in favors of preventing teenage pregnancy among the adolescents will face the law and I will continue to speak the truth without fear,” she sounded the warning.

She further advised them to advocate for abstinence and behavioral change to empower young girls to live healthy lives, HIV/AIDs free so as to achieve the dream of ending AIDS by 2030.

Some of adolescent primary school girls during the world AIDs day.

The parish priest of Dufile Catholic parish  Rev Fr. Joseph Butele appreciated the minister for reminding the citizens about the vice saying it has been the churches’ preaching against giving family planning contraceptives to girls whose bodies are not prepared to adopt.

“The bible is silent on modern birth control and fertility options, but some say that preventing pregnancy for family planning purposes is neutral and not sinful, but the bible also says that children are a gift from God and that couples should be in agreement on decisions about future children,” said Fr.  Joseph Butele.