How to win the war against teenage pregnancy

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OPINION

By Joy Beatrice Ratem Ochwo

Funeral mourning was and is still an important aspect of life and an essential part of African culture.

Several of the rites show that Africans place a high value on the human person. In Africa, mourning serves several sociological functions and the purpose of preserving African cultural heritage.

As people come together to mourn the deceased in the traditional way, Africans are reminded that they are a distinct people with a rich culture.

This gives them some sense of solidarity and cohesion.

Inasmuch as many people in Uganda rely on friends and family members to meet funeral demands, there is a general shift from spontaneous community-based support to a more business-like support arrangement.

In most rural areas, the proliferation of burial groups has changed how funerals are managed and how social support is extended to a bereaved community member.

This has given rise to a funeral fundraising drive locally termed as ‘Disco Matanga’ that is usually conducted during vigils, especially in Eastern Uganda and some parts of Kenya.

During fundraising drives, which particularly take place at night, there’s playing of loud music, especially pop music, which appeals to the youth, dancing and collection of money to support the funeral process.

This not very new culture also serves as entertainment during vigils to keep off sleep until the wee hours of the morning.

The organisers of fundraising usually follow their agenda and achieve their intended outcomes, not giving a thought to other activities that occur within the same period of time and the unintended consequences after the drive is done. These unintended consequences include unsafe sexual practices, especially among teenagers, that result into unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

The effects of disco matanga extend to those who don’t attend it. Children are left without care, adolescents leverage on parents’ absence at night to engage in risky behaviours, and criminals go about their criminal activities unchecked.

Without a doubt, Disco Matanga as a cultural practice is a leading contributing factor to teenage pregnancies, sexual and domestic violence and insecurity. This deepens poverty and inequality, making it harder for families and the country to grow.  

When girls are denied education and economic opportunities, the entire country suffers. A lack of educated women in the workforce slows national development. Disco Matanga is a barrier to women empowerment and gender equity.  

Local governments in Bugiri, Tororo and Busia Districts and civil society Organisations have put in efforts to regulate disco matanga and other traditional gatherings, but not without resistance from a section of people within the communities. They claim regulating this practice is an attack on the African spirit of cohesion, coming together during difficult times and the broader aspect of mourning and showing respect to the deceased.

We all know that fundraising for funerals is an obligation, but why do we have to parade women and girls to dance seductively before we can contribute to such a noble cause?

We have all felt the effects of teenage pregnancies and their associated ills. It is time to say enough is enough.  As we accelerate action for gender equality, there is a need for concerted effort from all stakeholders to regulate funeral night fundraising throughout the country. Let us all arise with the courage of revolutionaries and the wisdom of elders to change the narrative. Victory is certain!

The writer is a social rights activist