Assembly dithers as teen pregnancies climb

WHILE THE BATTLE lines are drawn in the debate over proposed sex education  in Panama schools, the central issue of the conflict – child pregnancies – continues to worsen as the National Assembly dithers

When the debate over Bill 61, first began the Ministry of Health (MoH)  produced figures to show that over 32 pregnancies a day were recorded among  children  aged 10-19 years of age. That’s without counting deliveries in Social Security facilities(CSS)  or private hospitals.

But, the latest MoH report shows that in a month the figure  has jumped  by 976  with the total for the year ending to June   at 5,856 up from 4,880 at the

Rubiela Sánchez, a member of the Panama Coalition for Comprehensive Sexual Education, said that if the proposal is returned to first debate, the aim should be to improve it and seek consensus among the diverse members of civil society.

She added that it is unfortunate that while the law is being discussed the issue of teen pregnancy continues to be ignored.

Rossana Uribe, a member of the board of the Panamanian Association for Family Planning, said that the data are alarming, but as it  happens in poor circles, few people care.

She said that attempts to introduce a sex education law have failed repeatedly because unfortunately the religious issue is involved, when in fact it is a public health issue.

She added that it is unfortunate that while the law is being discussed the issue of teen pregnancy continues to be ignored.

Roderick Burgos, a member of the Alliance for Life and the Family, said that the issue isn’t whether or not there is a need for a discussion about health issues, but rather the venue. He said public schools is not the appropriate forum for the discussion.

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