A mother of three children, Naniko Asatiani decided to be open to her children by initiating talking about personal safety to address their inquiries about “Where and how did I come from?,” and “What does pregnancy mean.” She decided to order the relevant book online with illustrations and adapted texts. She believes the school should also be included in this process.
“I want my children to understand that their bodies belong to them. So we began by discussing the fact that certain bodily parts are only permitted to be touched by particular persons, such as doctors or parents. If someone else touches them, they should notify the parent or instructor,” Naniko Asatiani says.
The Head of Office at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Mariam Bandzeladze, emphasizes the need of demystifying this topic and removing the stigma associated with it. “This will allow minors to discuss any issues at school or with their families.”
If we look at the statistics, from 2020 to the present, the birth rate for children under the age of 17 has been falling, which is a positive trend. However, according to Mariam Bandzeladze, there has been a spike in induced abortions within the same age range, which is both “risky and unwanted.”
Public Defender’s parliamentary report revealed that in 2023, 679 pregnant minors and 409 minor parents were registered. Although the number is down compared to last year, the rate is still alarming.
We learned from the UNFPA that the national curriculum includes health and personal safety instruction. “However, it is debatable for specialists whether teachers provide children with appropriate information, or whether they have adequate knowledge about sexual and reproductive health.”
Teenagers frequently ask delicate questions. And teachers lack the necessary abilities to provide precise and timely replies using acceptable vocabulary. According to Nino Tsuleiskiri, Director of Hera XXI Association. “Many teachers feel ashamed and avoid answering questions.”
To solve the issue, the Association developed a course that meets UNICEF standards, but only 80 teachers showed interest in it. Nino Tsuleiskiri believes the Education Ministry should prioritize allowing teachers nationwide to attend this low-cost course.
On top of that, a large part of medical professionals are unaware that Article 40 of the Georgian Law on Patient Rights permits minor patients aged 14 to 18 to access confidential medical care. Head of the Human Rights Protection Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ana Pachuashvili, says “If there is suspicion of violence, they should notify law enforcement authorities. The child’s right to be safeguarded from violence is fundamental, and each instance must be thoroughly investigated.”
Not only does child marriage violate the basic rights of children, but also the engagement of a child is a big challenge. Deputy Public Defender, Irina Chikhladze says “It is frequently the topic of an agreement between parents, and then it becomes the foundation for breaching other rights.”
All minors should be aware that teenage pregnancy is associated with health risks for the mother and the fetus. The law allows minors to confidentially apply to the medical institution.
In the event of violence, contact 112 and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to protect your rights.
