06.02.2014 - In the poorer neighbourhoods of Medellin, Colombia’s second city, one pregnant woman in three is between 15 and 19 years old.  These young women are often ill-informed about pregnancy, childbirth and the care of new-borns.

The programme organised by Enfants du Monde looks after these young mothers-to-be as well as other mothers.  It is unique because it also involves husbands and grandmothers.  Maria de Yanira Sanchez Velazquez is one of them:

“I am 56 years old and grandmother to 29 grandchildren.  I take part in the awareness sessions offered by Enfants du Monde.  There we discuss topics such as health for women and children, sexuality, early pregnancies, domestic violence, family relations, empowerment of women.  Grandmothers have an important role to play: there are many single parent families and, most of the time, it’s the women who have to cope with everything.  We, as grandmothers, can support our daughters in this.  Before, I didn’t know what to do when faced with problems of violence or early pregnancy.  Thanks to these meetings, I have learned a lot and I no longer remain silent on issues like these.”

More information on the health project in Colombia.