Mangochi District Education Manager, Joseph Magombo has expressed dismay over the increased teenage pregnancies in the district.

The concern comes as many girls in the district are dropping out of school due to unplanned pregnancies.

Magombo said the increase is due to the community’s perception that tends to view casual sex as a normal way of living.

“In some parts of the country mentioning the word sex people raise eye brows, but that is not the case with Mangochi District, it is something that everyone enjoys doing,” he said.

Magombo cited Chinamwali and Chitomero as some of the cultural beliefs which introduce a girl child to early and unprotected sex.

He pleaded with communities in Mangochi to acknowledge that some cultural beliefs are dynamic and cannot be practiced forever hence they need to be terminated.

Magombo acknowledged the efforts by partners like Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) in dealing with teenage pregnancies in the district.

“YONECO visits and advises young girls on how they can abstain from early sex and guide them on the use of contraceptives.

“These interventions are needed so that the district can experience the real change that we as leaders are expecting to see,” Magombo said.