Gender and Development Advocacy

Vina: Women which make up half of the world’s population, could achieve great impact in global, social
and economic development. We are half of the world’s population and yet the inequality we experience
supresses our capabilities and participation in solving the existing problems in the world. Equity between
women and men should be given emphasis.

Chauncey: The upsurge of teenage pregnancy is a problem that needs our urgent attention for it affects
the future of the women and of our country as well. Women play a crucial role in moulding the nation;
they play a vital role in the development of an individual, of every country or nation.

A young woman’s development should not be hampered due to pregnancy. Teenager mothers’ welfare
should also be placed into consideration. We need to encourage teenage mothers to go back and finish
high school.

Chauncey: As a man to sustain and support life is our noble cause. We should value life by helping
others to live and have a life.

Through awareness and education, we could empower women by giving them alternatives that enables
them to earn a living.

Vina: By giving them livelihood training and assistance and by consolidating projects which could help
young mothers sustain their child and themselves.

We can support women’s development, help prevent teenage mothers from possibly resulting to an
abortion and resolve the escalation of poverty.

Chauncey: Through these initiatives we can help women to become independent, be productive and
become self-sustaining individuals.

Vina: Thus by doing so, we could extend our compassion, stop prejudice, help teenage mothers develop
their capabilities and encourage our youth to participate in addressing this problem.

C & V: Let us make this world a better place for everyone, let’s stop prejudice, extend our compassion,
empower the young mothers, promote equity and increase productivity, let’s work together in
confounding the issue of teenage pregnancy. Together Rufinians we can do it!