In an effort to participate in the fight against teenage pregnancy in schools, the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI ), on Wednesday, 13 November 2013, sensitized more than 100 schoolgirls from the Modern High School of Toulepleu , a western region city about 650 km away from Abidjan .



The awareness-raising session was part of UNOCI's activities to protect vulnerable people, stop gender-based violence and promote peace. The United Nations Police (UNPOL) and the national police took part in the campaign.



A UNPOL officer explained the context of teenage pregnancy in schools by highlighting highlighted the causes and consequences of the problem. Through interactive discussions with students, the police showed them ways to avoid early pregnancies at schools.



The UNPOL officer then urged the population to prevent minors under 18 years of age from getting married, to report cases of gender-based and sexual violence to the appropriate services. Parents and guardians were asked them to avoid any amicable settlements in such cases. Young people were asked to convince their parents about the incongruity of certain traditions that violate the rights of girls.

For his part, the Human Rights Office encouraged students to denounce violence, including rape, which has become commonplace.



"If you are the victim of rape, do not hesitate to report it to the police or to the gendarmerie so that the perpetrator could be punished in accordance with the law. This will serve as a warning to anyone who is tempted to commit such acts," he added.



The vice-principal of Toulepleu secondary school, Dao Umar, welcomed the initiative taken by UNOCI to organize the sensitization session.



"We must intensify the message because the phenomenon of pregnancy in schools is of great concern in Toulepleu. Information and awareness-raising campaigns will help girls understand the danger they face by being pregnant while at school. It will also help them concentrate on their studies for their future and their family," said Mr. Dao.



It should be noted that since the beginning of the 2013 - 2014 school year, ten teenage pregnancies have been officially recorded. Moreover, the human rights officer has noted that since the resumption of classes after the post-election crisis, not one girl has passed the high school diploma.