In the 2013  Motherhood in Childhood by UNFPA, sub-Saharan African countries are among those with the highest prevalence rates of teenage pregnancy worldwide. Girls 14 and younger carry the greatest risk. This population is often overlooked and unreachable by various institutions mainly because girls are often prevented from accessing reproductive health services in these societies. Moreover, according to Tanzania Adolescent Report by UNICEF, there is an increase in the adolescent pregnancy rate among girls who are 15 years old. The rate rose from 3.7 percent in 2004 to 5.2 percent in 2010. Adolescent girls in poorer rural households still remain the target population and are most likely to become pregnant by the time they reach the age of 19. 

 

These rates above may be attributed to attitudes and cultural beliefs surrounding contraceptive usage in addition to other factors (i.e. sparse resources, forced child marriages). As a result, a pregnant teen may experience a cascade of detrimental effects including the loss of educational attainment. 

 

Lead For Change International, is committed to advocate for rural adolescents who are often overlooked. We would like to transform embedded community behaviors in rural Tanzania by promoting reproductive health education and facilitating access to culturally sensitive family planning services. Our aim is to not only increase agency, but to also empower the youth in making healthy and informed decisions.