(No. B/898) Ms S. Anquetil (Second Member for Belle Rose & Quatre Bornes) asked the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare whether, in regard to teenage pregnancy, she will state the measures taken by her Ministry to address the issue and reduce the incidence thereof, since January 2025 to date. The Deputy Prime Minister: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to point out that cases of teenage pregnancy are reported to my Ministry by medical social workers from all the regional hospitals throughout the island for follow-up and cases are referred to the drop-in centre by the Family Support Services of my Ministry. I wish to inform the House that since December 2003, my Ministry, through a drop-in centre located at Port Louis and managed by the Mauritius Family Planning and Welfare Association, works towards the rehabilitation of adolescents, teenage mothers. The objectives of the drop-in centre are – (a) to ensure victims' empowerment through referrals to educational and vocational institutions and other related organisations; (b) to promote the concept of “entertain to education activities” like personality development programmes and art competitions; (c) to help mothers, teenagers acquire both social and life skills to overcome their traumas; (d) to conduct group therapy sessions and focal group activities, and (e) to ensure the rehabilitation of these teenage mothers and their reintegration into the society through networking with appropriate stakeholders. The services offered by the drop-in centre are, inter alia, as follows – (a) counselling; (b) prevention through talks in the community including schools; (c) medical sessions conducted on a monthly basis for mothers and babies; (d) broadcast radio programmes on a fortnightly basis in Creole and Hindi, and (e) recreational activities held on a quarterly basis. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, pregnant adolescents and teenage mothers are vulnerable. They, therefore, require dedicated support with regard to their emotional, psychological, social and economic needs. Thus, whenever cases are reported at the level of Family Support Services of my Ministry, individual counselling, guidance and psycho-social support services are also provided to them as well as to their families. Home visits and follow-up sessions are conducted with the pregnant adolescents and teenage mothers to ensure that their best interests and rights are safeguarded and that they are living in a safe and secure environment. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, my Ministry also provides necessary counselling to encourage stronger family support, improved communication between parents and children and promote responsible parenting practices. If required, the pregnant adolescents and teenage mothers are referred to the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity for financial support. I wish to inform the House that the adolescent-friendly sexual productive health services of the Ministry of Health and Wellness are provided at primary health care level through area health centres, community health centres, medi-clinics and regional hospitals. And health care professionals have been sensitised on the provision of confidential, respectful and youth-friendly services. Since 2025, my Ministry has been strengthening collaboration with community organisations, NGOs and relevant Ministries departments through the Community Child Watch Programme and the District Child Protection Committee under my Ministry. These two programmes facilitate coordinated interventions, improve referral mechanisms and ensure effective follow-up of cases including teenage pregnancy cases. Furthermore, I am informed that the AIDS Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness implements a range of evidence-based interventions, contribution to the prevention of HIV as well as teenage pregnancy. This Unit carries out awareness sessions in secondary schools on sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am also informed that since January 2025, sexual education has been integrated within the school curriculum and covers topics including sexually transmitted diseases, reproductive health, gender rights, common taboos and misconceptions. My Ministry works in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Human Resource to ensure that the content is both age-appropriate and comprehensive. Particular emphasis has also been placed on boys and young men as active participants in prevention, recognising that gender-based power imbalances and attitudes towards sexuality are key drivers of teenage pregnancy. The Deputy Speaker: Yes, hon. Anquetil!