Rights activists in greater Gulu on Friday held a Marathon run to create awareness on the dangers and how to fight teenage pregnancies in the area.
The 5-kilometer marathon run across Gulu City drew political, religious, and rights activists from the Northern Region and was graced by Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu the State Minister for Primary Education.
The run was organized by the Gulu City and district probation department under the theme ‘’Let Girls Be Girls’’.
Jessica Anena, the Senior Probation Officer of Gulu says the marathon was organized in order to create awareness on the dangers and prevention of teenage pregnancies which have skyrocketed during the two-year-long lockdown period.
According to Anena, close to 4,000 girls aged between 12 and 17 years were impregnated in Gulu between the years 2020 and 2021, something she says requires urgent intervention from everyone to avoid.
She noted that the marathon also acted as a signal that teenage pregnancies and violence against women should not be condoned adding that all those implicated should be arrested and arraigned before the courts of law.
During the marathon run, Briana Adong a student of Sacred Heart Girls Secondary School in Gulu City petitioned the State Minister for Primary Education, Joyce Moriku Kaducu seeking urgent intervention from the government to protect girls against rights violation and also bring to book the perpetrators of violence against women and children.
Officiating over the program from the maiden Gulu district administration offices, State Minister for Primary Education, Joyce Moriku Kaducu urged everyone to stand up and resist violence against (young) girls and women.
She noted that Education and Sports minister Janet Kataha Museveni has also launched a national campaign for protecting the girl-child against rights violation and also offering them second-chance education for a brighter future.
She also asked women in leadership positions to use their powers to economically empower grassroots women and become self-reliant.
Simon Wokorach, the Member of Parliament for Aswa County noted urged everyone to rise up against teenage pregnancies and create a better world for women to live in.
Christine Olok, the Deputy Mayor for Gulu City on the other hand asked everyone to play key roles in protecting a girl child and also advocate against teenage pregnancies.
The day also marked the preparation for this year`s International Women`s Day celebrations that will be held on the 8th March under the theme ‘’Breaking the Bias’’It is about working towards a world free of stereotypes and discrimination, but one that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
