Pregnancy in campus
Relationships in campus are most often a state of bliss until
something unexpected happens, a case in point being, when a lady becomes pregnant.
It’s no lady’s wish to get pregnant before she’s done with her studies unless
she is ready for it.
However, as recently witnessed, many ladies are falling
victims of this. What follows are the numerous challenges that one encounters
while juggling between being a mother and a student.
In an interview with students’ counselor, Rispa Ochola, she
revealed the pain and anguish a girl goes through on becoming expectant.
However, she insisted that men should also take responsibility.
“Men who plant “seeds” should take care of them.” she added.
Equator Weekly managed to speak with students who are
mothers.
Speaking to Jane* name changed, she revealed her pain during
her time of pregnancy and even after giving birth. She said that at first the
boyfriend denied the pregnancy and called her names.
“He called me unfaithful and I can remember how much I cried
for all my love was his”.
Moreover, the man was not supportive in terms of the company I
needed during the trying times and also during delivery.
“This is the time when I needed someone closer than ever and
he wasn’t even concerned”.
The lady recalls that till today, she is bitter with the man
when she remembers the time they spent together. Jane however regrets the day
she said ‘yes’ to the boyfriend and added that for now she does not have the
heart to trust another man anytime soon.
In another scenario, a lady who sought anonymity said that
she was dumped the minute the man realized she was pregnant. She bitterly
remembered of how the man started cutting ties and reducing the time they used
to spend together.
The same happened to Patience* name changed, whose friends
started drawing away from her as soon as they realized she was expectant. The
painful part was when she lost her male friends as many of them feared to be mistaken
to have sired the child.
Attendance of lessons is also a major challenge and they
sometimes end up getting low grades as they can’t concentrate on their studies.
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| Pregnant lady: Many university ladies face a headache after a pregnancy crisis. |
A lady is also not entitled to get a hostel upon getting
pregnant, these among other social challenges of walking to lecture halls when
the morning sickness is prevailing, are quite a challenge
The school is also partially supportive and only gives pre-natal medication and checkup. However upon arrival of the newborn, the support from
the university diminishes.
According to statistics gathered from the health clinic, 10%
of the students are married and hence pregnancy is expected, 60% is out of
ignorance and the rest is accidental.
In an interview with Rispa the Counselling department is
looking at ways in which they can help student-mothers. This is by registering
them in a support group which will be a platform for sharing their challenges,
a plan which is underway this semester.
Moreover, she labeled them ‘star-students’ as they take on
double responsibilities.
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