Agency A Child Rights Advocate, Ambassador Tolu Taiwo, has urged teenage pregnant girls not to see abortion and suicide as options, stressing that they can still fulfil their purpose in life. She gave the advice in Ibadan, Oyo State, at the inauguration of her foundation called ‘Twenty-One Five Child Foundation’. Taiwo also urged teenage pregnant girls to be outspoken and courageous despite all the odds against them.
“They should not abandon their babies or be in despair. People like us are here to support them even if they want to take legal action. “Parents and religious leaders should not give up on them; they can still fulfil destiny.
Religious leaders should not judge and throw them away but should lend a hand and join to rehabilitate them.” The child rights activist explained that TIFF is a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing support for pregnant teenage girls and combating sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria. In line with the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day ‘Inspire Inclusion”, she said the organisation’s vision was to alleviate the sufferings, both physical and mental, often meted out on teenage pregnant girls in society.
According to her, the organisation also aims to pragmatically work toward ensuring a drastic reduction of such cases through education and stakeholder engagement. She said, “Between 2023 when we started and now, we have reached out to no fewer than 700 girls, hospitals and 50 pregnant teenage gi.