The Adolescent Unplanned Pregnancy in the Pacific - Vanuatu report explains how adolescent girls and young women often have trouble managing relationships - this includes pregnant girls' fear of parental anger and social exclusion. Photo: AFP
A new report recommends expanding sexual and reproductive education programmes for adolescent girls in Vanuatu - and there are calls to make sure action follows the research.
The Adolescent Unplanned Pregnancy in the Pacific - Vanuatu report was released in Port Vila last week.
It contains research about the experiences of adolescent girls and young women in Vanuatu who face unplanned pregnancy and motherhood.
Data was collected in Sanma, Tafea and Shefa, with logistical support provided by CARE in Tafea Province.
The Pacific Community (SPC) said similar research was also carried out in Chuuk State in the Federated States of Micronesia and in Tonga, showing that adolescent girls often face significant gaps in sexual and reproductive knowledge.
"This is often due to inadequate reproductive health education; negative attitudes from healthcare workers; and family restrictions on accessing community education programs, resulting in delayed maternity care and potential adverse health outcomes," the SPC said.
The research also explains how adolescent girls and young women often have trouble managing relationships - this includes pregnant girls' fear of parental anger and social exclusion.
"The research investigated traditional and current knowledge and practices of fertility limitation from the viewpoints of older women and the experiences of adolescent girls and young women," the SPC said.
A key recommendation from the research is the need to expand programmes for adolescent girls that offer reproductive health rights information, service referrals, and opportunities to empower girls and young women to make informed decisions.
It also highlights the need to introduce comprehensive reproductive health education for adolescents in schools.
Wilmaraia Sinumila, country director of CARE, said the research will help participants to better understand the context of unplanned adolescent pregnancy from the point of view of young women or girls.
"Change may not happen overnight, but it is the first step, and it is always important to take that first step," she said.
"We have a collective responsibility. The research findings will be disseminated; we will know what the results are and so we can no longer be ignorant."
Director of the SPC Melanesia Regional Office, Sarah Mecartney, crrct said it is one thing to do research, but if there is no action taken, things would stay as they are.
"This research is invaluable to strengthening our collective responses and services by paying attention to the experiences and the needs of those affected."
The final report was developed by the University of NSW, supported by the Australian government.