Spike in schoolgirl pregnancies prompts urgent action: Minister Saroja Paulraj

18 July 2025 08:18 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 17 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, July 18 (Daily Mirror) - Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Paulraj has raised alarm over a recent surge in pregnancies among school-aged girls, calling for immediate and comprehensive education on sexual health and responsibility.

Speaking at a media briefing today, Minister Paulraj revealed that there has been a noticeable increase in the number of adolescent schoolgirls becoming pregnant, some under the age of 18, leading to serious health and social complications.

"Recently, the number of pregnancies among our school-age children has increased significantly. These young girls face immense physical and psychological challenges, and many of them become vulnerable victims due to early pregnancy,” she said.

The Minister emphasised that discussions are underway with the Ministry of Education to incorporate comprehensive sexuality education in schools, aimed at equipping students with the knowledge and understanding needed to make informed decisions.

“We must give our schoolchildren a clear and age-appropriate understanding of sexuality. It is essential to prevent situations that lead to the birth of abandoned or orphaned children, who would otherwise grow up without parental care and face various social disadvantages,” she added.

Minister Paulraj also stressed the importance of shared responsibility in parenthood.

"The burden of an unplanned pregnancy and the resulting social stigma often fall solely on young women. We must break this cycle. If one is not prepared to take on the responsibility of raising a child, it is criminal to resort to unsafe methods or abandon the child after birth."

She urged young people to adopt scientific methods of contraception and make responsible choices to avoid unintended pregnancies.

“Do not let these children become orphans in society. Prevention and education are the keys,” she concluded.

Comments - 17

Cassie Saturday, 19 July 2025 02:29 AM

Very vague. If you are quoting statistics at least give us the number of pregnancies and which districts. Additionally, provide info on the background of the pregnancies. Was it rape, incest or consensual? This is important to know in order to address the situation.

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Zarook Saturday, 19 July 2025 11:31 AM

What happened to clean SL?

3 3

Punchi Saturday, 19 July 2025 03:45 AM

I wish I was a school boy now to experience this. In my school boy days getting a school girl pregnant rarely occurred.

8 2

Danny Saturday, 19 July 2025 02:46 PM

What a pathetic thinking Punchi. I hope your offspring’s are safe at school!

0 1

Lionel Kankanamage Saturday, 19 July 2025 04:06 PM

A disgusting comment. Pathetic person

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ZAK Saturday, 19 July 2025 04:53 AM

Under Sri Lanka’s common law, the legal age of consent is 16, while the legal age for marriage is 18. This discrepancy may inadvertently encourage irresponsible behaviour. Consequently, girls aged 16 to 17 who become pregnant may be unable to marry the father of the child. While comprehensive sexuality education is essential, equal emphasis must be placed on teaching morality and cultural values. At the same time, a review and possible amendment of existing laws is necessary to ensure clarity, responsibility, and protection for young people.

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R Navaratnam Saturday, 19 July 2025 05:16 AM

No point in lamenting. Fundamental to bring Civics subject into education curriculum. Also sex education in Singapore style.

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Citizen k Saturday, 19 July 2025 06:33 AM

Totally agree as we need to move with time.

0 1

Halith Saturday, 19 July 2025 06:53 AM

Oh god who are these culprits responsible for these pregnancies, is the raggings or rapings etc. No ways of sexual educations at schools or wherever would help unless these irresponsible culprits are severely reprimanded, maybe even hang them if needed.

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Jude Saturday, 19 July 2025 07:17 AM

For schoolgirl pregnancies I squarely put the blame on parents. Absolutely no excuses for parents. What the hell The parents are doing!?? And if the girls are underage, then prosecute The culprits for impregnating and punish them. In case The culprits are underage then charge them in adult court. The biggest problem for all these crimes due to very weak legal system in SL. For starters punishment doesn't fit the Crime. Mind you some of the laws are not changed since 1800's . The politicians never bothered to change the laws because the politicians commit most crimes in SL.

2 2

Jude Saturday, 19 July 2025 07:39 AM

Making impregnating underage girls apply the law in full force. The culprits should be jailed for 20 years with No Parole. And if the culprit underaged then charge him in adult court. The crime Wave in SL due to very very weak legal system. The politicians in SL Talk big and they brag about as if they're gonna reinvent the wheel.most politicians talk as if they're the next Einstein yeah Albert Einstein the smartest guy ever to walk on this earth. Even with 2/3rd majority no government wants to change the law. For instance people will rarely comit adultery or impregnating a underage girl will HAPPEN IN SAUDI OR OTHER MIDDLE EAST COUNTRY. You know why.

2 1

Jude Saturday, 19 July 2025 07:46 AM

Politicians are responsible because of the weak legal system.

1 0

UniDon Saturday, 19 July 2025 10:02 AM

Unless you ban smartphones for children under 16, you will not be able to tackle this emerging issue.

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Inayat Shukri Yusuf Saturday, 19 July 2025 11:50 AM

I always say that dumb modern secular values as promoted by the West and being aped by us in the East is one in which Men have the fun and Women left holding the baby or having their reproductive health compromised. This is called by them as women's empowerment which has already led to Westerners increasingly becoming unaware who fathered them. On the contrary Islam whose Shariah is based on Divine knowledge and wisdom is considered misogynist as it promotes so called child marriage. Solution to this problem is reduce marriageable age to 12 years

7 3

MILA Saturday, 19 July 2025 11:50 AM

Sri Lanka must wake up to the growing influence of foreign agendas. Some individuals, like Harini, are strong supporters of the Western-driven LGBT agenda and work for white man’s interests. We believe these values should not be imposed on our society — especially on our children. Parents allow children to use Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and permit them to wear shorts and immodest clothing. Don’t you think this also contributes to the early sexualization of our children?

2 4

RanjithT Saturday, 19 July 2025 03:54 PM

Typically without statistics and corresponding data it is of no use as counter measures cannot be taken in a vacuum. Underage pregnancies is one issue but more disturbing factor is having unsafe sex. This could lead to a bigger issue of increased sexually transmitted diseases(STD) and HIV. Openness in addressing sex education is lacking and a taboo in our society. Comrade minister should work with National STD and Aids Control Program. (NSACP) rather than making public statements without scientific basis.

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Ranjit Raymond Sunday, 20 July 2025 07:34 AM

As usual the law professionals are slow in continuing the cases and sentencing Surely why the key person responsible for law unable to rectify. Cases for hearing is given more than six months for next hearing.

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