In the third section is the work of the youth. In Phuket province, it was found that young people or teenagers in pregnancy situations prefer to talk and consult with peers rather than adults. The province has therefore developed a counseling model for unplanned pregnancies by having youth leaders act as consultants or help friends in need. It was later found that this approach actually helped reduce the rate of teenage pregnancies in the area.
Additionally, in the work of the Children’s and Youth Council, which exists at the sub-district, district, provincial, and national levels, importance has been given to and driven the issue of teenage pregnancy. For example, the work of the Children’s and Youth Council of Bang Si Thong Sub-district, Bang Kruai District, Nonthaburi Province, emphasizes monthly joint activities among youth, leading to close relationships like a family, helping to reduce the risk of pregnancy because of regular joint activities. Meanwhile, the Children’s and Youth Council of Srinakarin District, Phatthalung Province, has invited teenagers to jointly design sexual activities that each person is interested in, leading to participatory activities such as activities providing knowledge about safe sex, correct condom use, proper use of contraceptives, etc.
Meanwhile, the Children’s and Youth Council of Ubon Ratchathani Province has worked with provincial networks, including Ubon Ratchathani University, local administrative organizations, the Provincial Public Health Office, and the Office of Social Development and Human Security, etc., and has jointly collected data on the youth situation in 238 sub-districts throughout the province. The final part is the work of the National Children’s and Youth Council, which is currently designing tools to survey the opinions of teenagers nationwide on the issue of pregnancy to use the information obtained to adjust the work on the issue of teenage pregnancy further.
As mentioned above, working on the issue of teenage pregnancy requires collaboration among many agencies in the area as a network and integrated effort, which may not be easy because each agency has its main responsibilities. Moreover, the connection may have gaps or difficulties in coordination. From this exchange platform, there is a lesson on network work from the Sing Buri Provincial Office of Social Development and Human Security, which is having a shared goal among agencies in driving the issue of teenage pregnancy, including maintaining relationships, such as frequent joint meetings to present work progress, helping workers feel connected and always linked.
Meanwhile, feedback from the Children’s and Youth Council itself also wants adults in the area to give youth meaningful participation in the work of local agencies, not just as part of the meeting room, but to provide opportunities for youth to exchange and propose opinions with adults who sincerely listen.
And for this final lesson, whether adults, youth, or anyone from any agency, working on the issue of teenage pregnancy requires attention and action.
Story by Thiranan Thirasirisil, RSAThai.org website team
Adults-Youth Care and Act: Lessons in Preventing Teenage Pregnancy in the Area (1)
Click here: https://rsathai.org/en/contents/25974