![Kiminini Sub-County leads in the number of pregnancies recorded among girls aged between 15 and 19 years old. [PHOTO | FILE]](https://i0.wp.com/www.k24tv.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/CHILD-PREGNANCY.jpg?resize=730%2C414&ssl=1)
Authorities in Bunambiyu, Kishapu District in Shinyanga region, Northern Tanzania, are puzzled by an incident in which a Class Seven pupil, aged 14, is alleged to have impregnated a 17-year-old girl set to join Form Three in 2020.
The student at Bunambiyu Secondary School claims the boy, who is set to join Form One in 2020 after successfully sitting his Class Seven national examination in 2019, is responsible for her pregnancy, which is at four months now.
The boy, however, refutes the allegations, saying the girl “often spent time with other men, who were much older than her”.
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The girl’s father told Global Publishers that his daughter was expelled from school late November 2019 after it was discovered that she was three months pregnant.
“We reported the incident at Bunambiyu police post, and the boy was arrested. However, he was released a day or two later,” said the 17-year-old’s father.
“I have really struggled to raise my daughter’s school fees, and it saddens me that she is now expectant. She claims that our neighbour’s son is responsible for the pregnancy. Other people in the neighbourhood tell me that the boy is not responsible for the pregnancy, but a youthful man, who we are yet to know,” said the girl’s father.
“Given the unborn baby’s father is yet to be authoritatively known, I am now forced to take her for antenatal care,” added the girl’s dad.
The parent says he approached the parents of the boy said to be responsible for the pregnancy, and they [boy’s parents] accepted to take care of the girl before and after she gives birth.
“They only gave me money to take my daughter to hospital for two weeks. After that, they ignored my daughter’s welfare,” said the girl’s father.
The girl insists the said-boy is the father of her unborn child, even as the 14-year-old vehemently denies the claims.
Kongezya Kanagano, the head teacher at Mwasubi Primary School, where the boy sat the national tests, said when he asked the boy to confide in him, he maintained that he did not impregnate the girl.
“He told me that he often saw the girl in the company of different men. However, he admitted having a non-sexual relationship with the 17-year-old,” said Kanagano.
Bunambiyu councilor, Richard Sangisangi, said he was shocked to hear that a 14-year-old boy impregnated a 17-year-old girl in his area of jurisdiction.
“This is unprecedented in Bunambiyu,” said Sangisangi.
Societal development director in Kishapu District, Joseph Swalala, said he would follow up the matter to ascertain the person responsible for the girl’s pregnancy, and take legal action against him.
The Age of Consent in Tanzania is 18 years old.
“Parents should keenly monitor their teenage daughters’ movements and interactions,” advised Kishapu District Officer (DO), Nyabaganga Talaba.
He said authorities in the area are investigating at least 26 child pregnancy cases in Kishapu District.
