There are many States which are model States in health care and education. Yet, teenage pregnancy remains a silent crisis, reportedly on the rise in some districts. This is not merely a health issue but also a social and educational concern that effects the future of the girl child. Several factors contribute to this problem, including the lack of age- appropriate health and life skills education in schools, early school dropouts, child marriages in some rural pockets, unsupervised exposure to social media, a lack of open communication between parents and children, and limited awareness of reproductive health. Poverty and migration is a case which leaves many adolescent girls vulnerable. Teenage pregnancy is preventable. By investing in education, empowerment and empathy for our adolescent girls, we are investing in the future of our country, so let us ensure that every girl has the opportunity to be a student before becoming a mother.
DIOMEDES PEREIRA, Corlim
