Orphaned girls at risk of early pregnancies

As the food crisis in the region continues to worsen, thousands of young women like Kaka are vulnerable to early pregnancies and marriage as they struggle to help themselves and their families.

As Boko Haram attacks intensified, Kaka ran away from Ngouboua village and settled in Selia, few kilometres north of Baga Sola, Chad.

"In Ngouboua, I had a husband. I was married at 10", she said. “I suffered in that marriage. My husband was not taking care of me. He would beat me. My mother was the one helping me with food and clothes”.

But things got much worse for Kaka as the conflict in the region came close to her community. "When Boko Haram came, I ran away for my life but my mother wasn't that lucky,” she said. “She was captured and till today I do not know where she is”.

Kaka is now being sheltered by the local community members but with no land to cultivate and not being in school, she found herself pregnant after a brief relationship with someone she thought would help her.

Kaka, 17, carrying her two months old baby girl

"I met a man who told me that he would help me have a farm. He deceived me,” she said. "I gave birth here. My daughter is two months old and I am caring for her alone.”

Many orphaned girls like Kaka have found themselves having to provide for themselves or their siblings at a young age. To do this, some agree to exchange sex for food or shelter for themselves and their brothers and sisters.   

Prior to the crisis, child marriage, child labour and limited opportunities for young people were already issues in the Lake Chad Basin region. Now that the situation is getting worse, there are reports that some children have been separated from their families during the displacement, and there have been a few reported cases of rape.

Child protection and child-focused interventions are key in stopping the early pregnancy rate from rising.

 World Vision child protection in emergencies staff sensitising women’s group 

World Vision is currently working with communities in the region, providing life-skills training to young people, including reproductive health and self-protection measures. Children and adolescent girls at high risk of abuse, violence and exploitation are also referred to special service providers.

But there is a likelihood of increase in early pregnancy and child marriage.

World Vision appeals for urgent funds to ease the impact of the Lake Chad Crisis on affected communities, especially children.