On 15 October 2024, I had the privilege of moderating a segment of the Regional Dialogue on Ending Adolescent Pregnancy, a webinar hosted by PAHO and UNFPA, in collaboration with other agencies. This event brought together experts, policymakers, and youth leaders from across the Caribbean to address the pressing issue of adolescent pregnancy in the region. The discussions were insightful, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to ask critical questions, contributing to a deeper understanding of the factors that underpin adolescent pregnancy and the strategies required to address it.

The Caribbean region continues to experience alarmingly high rates of adolescent pregnancies, a trend that demands urgent attention. During the dialogue, we heard from a range of voices, including policymakers, educators, and youth advocates, each bringing their perspectives on how to tackle this issue. As youth moderator, I was tasked with posing questions that would further unpack the complexities of adolescent pregnancy and highlight the necessary steps to end it.

Highlighting the Challenges

One of the most striking points discussed was the age at which adolescents in the Caribbean are engaging in sexual activity. A 2021 UNICEF fact sheet on the well-being of young people in Anguilla revealed that over half of adolescents aged 13-17 had engaged in sexual intercourse, with many doing so before the age of 14. This statistic is deeply concerning, as early sexual debut is linked to higher rates of unprotected sex, which in turn increases the risk of unintended pregnancies.

In my conversation with the Permanent Secretary of Social Development & Education from the Ministry of Social Development, Dr. Bonnie Richardson-Lake, I asked how governments were addressing these early sexual behaviours, especially considering that 60% of adolescents in Anguilla used a condom during their last sexual encounter. This statistic, while encouraging, underscores the need for further efforts to increase awareness and access to sexual and reproductive health services.

The Permanent Secretary emphasized the importance of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) as a key component in preventing adolescent pregnancies. However, the challenge remains: how can we ensure that young people receive age-appropriate, accessible, and non-stigmatizing sexual education? The response was clear—education systems must play a central role in providing accurate and empowering information, and they must do so in a way that is both inclusive and sensitive to the diverse needs of young people across the region.

The Role of Education in Prevention

The need for accessible information was echoed throughout the dialogue, and I had the opportunity to explore this further in a question I posed to the Permanent Secretary. I inquired about how the education system could be leveraged to provide age-appropriate sexuality education, particularly in light of the unique cultural and social challenges that vary across the Caribbean. The Permanent Secretary suggested that one of the most effective ways forward was to integrate reproductive health education into school curricula. Also, training teachers and community leaders to provide young people with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.

This approach also extends beyond simply preventing pregnancy—it is about ensuring young people’s right to education, regardless of their personal circumstances. As the dialogue progressed, I asked about the role of the education system in supporting adolescent mothers, particularly in ensuring their re-entry into school without facing stigma or discrimination. The conversation revealed a need for more robust policies that not only support pregnant adolescents but also create a welcoming environment for young mothers to continue their education and achieve their potential.

A Call for Holistic, Youth-Centered Solutions

The dialogue also touched on the importance of policy advocacy and the need for comprehensive, youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services. I posed a question to the Minister of Health, Antigua and Barbuda, about the government’s initiatives to reduce adolescent pregnancy and improve access to reproductive health services. The Minister emphasized the need for multi-sectoral collaboration, noting that efforts to end adolescent pregnancy require the involvement of various stakeholders, including healthcare providers, educators, and community leaders.

What struck me was the shared recognition that the fight against adolescent pregnancy cannot be won by policy alone—it requires a commitment from all sectors of society to provide the tools, resources, and support necessary for young people to make informed choices about their health and their futures.

Conclusion

The Regional Dialogue on Ending Adolescent Pregnancy provided valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of adolescent pregnancy in the Caribbean. As a youth moderator, I learned that the key to addressing this issue lies not only in providing comprehensive sexuality education, but also in ensuring that young people have access to the services and support systems they need to protect their health and their rights.

It is clear that ending adolescent pregnancy is not just a matter of preventing pregnancies—it is about empowering young people to make choices that will allow them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. The dialogue was an important step forward in this ongoing effort, and I am proud to have been part of it.