End Teenage Pregnancy & Early Marriage

HealthProtection2023

Apr 25

Zambia | Pateauke Shifters | 2023

Mhoroi Sawubona!

We are Pateauke Shifters, a group of vibrant young people from Zambia, on a mission to end teenage pregnancy and child marriages.

18 - 27 years old
Petauke

The Right-Sized Problem

Zambia’s Eastern Province is home to Petauke district, a beautiful place but facing a huge challenge. Nearly 40% of teenagers here are pregnant, which is an alarming statistic. Behind these numbers are challenges like low contraceptive use, gender-based violence, poverty and deep-rooted gender norms favoring childbearing at a young age. Some customs are putting these kids at risk for pregnancy – one of which involves children being pushed to live alone once they hit puberty. An even bigger issue exists–talking about sex is considered taboo.

What did we do?

We began tackling this issue with meeting health workers from the Ministry of Health, identifying hotspots for teenage pregnancies and child marriages. With the help of a monthly adolescent health performance tracking tool, we were able to pinpoint 19 hotspots across the district. Then, we set out with a mission - to visit these areas and spread our campaign message across.

Our strategy to achieve our goals was an innovative and engaging approach–edutainment! We gathered communities together and set the stage in 14 different hotspots. The streets of Petuake were buzzed with activity, filled with music, dance and drama that conveyed our campaign’s critical messages. Local artists, including a teacher who was also a musician, composed and performed songs. Plays were acted out, illustrating the major causes of child marriages and teen pregnancies. Our campaign messages were printed on placards and posters for everyone to see. We also visited local radio stations to amplify our message, making sure more people in Zambia heard it.

Campaign Impact

Our impact was nothing short of transformative in the communities we engaged with. Parents and community leaders committed to supporting their children’s education and vowed to act against early marriages. Adolescents, previously quiet on these matters, began visiting community health facilities to avail family planning services. Most importantly, this campaign showed a cultural shift, allowing children a voice in discussions that are traditionally off-limits and taboo. Through creative outreach and community engagement, the once-taboo topic of sex has been brought to the forefront, inspiring dialogue and action.

Getting major support from the village chiefs who are willingly backing up our campaign is pivotal. They hold great social and cultural authority, key figures in paving the way for change, helping the youth thrive in their respective groups.

Impact in Numbers