Senate Deputy Nurtore Zhusip has reported an increase in cases of teenage pregnancy. According to the deputy, over the past five years, the number of teenage pregnancies has risen by one and a half times, as reported by Tengrinews.kz.
The deputy noted that the sharp rise in teenage pregnancies and births that began during the pandemic has remained at the same level for the past four years.
"In 2023, there were 5,094 recorded births among teenagers, accounting for 1.3 percent of the total number of births. Among rural teenagers, this figure is nearly double that of their urban counterparts. Cases of violence against teenage girls have also increased. This contributes to the situation regarding pregnancy. However, in most cases, this is hushed up in our society, and everyone pretends that nothing has happened," Zhusip stated while presenting his parliamentary request.
The senator believes that turning a blind eye to this issue is not an option. The situation and trends of recent years require proactive involvement from all stakeholders, especially representatives from the education and health sectors.
"Teenage pregnancy is not just a matter of the reproductive health of girls, but also a sensitive and socially significant indicator. The state of reproductive health of today's children and adolescents entering their fertile years will directly impact birth rates and demographics over the next 10-15 years. It is essential to conduct an interdepartmental analysis of the reasons behind the rise in pregnancies and births among teenagers, involving the ministries of education, health, labor, and social protection, as well as international organizations working in this field. Strengthening monitoring and oversight of the implementation of legislation concerning the protection of minors' rights is crucial," the deputy emphasized.
Furthermore, the deputy believes that it is necessary to engage in informational and educational work aimed at raising awareness among teenagers and their parents about the risks of early pregnancy, as well as about the responsibilities and rights of minors.
Previously, we reported that in the Atyrau region, around eight hundred pregnant teenage girls were identified over the last four years.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and the Bureau of National Statistics have released data on pregnancies and marriages of girls under 18.
