Lima, Peru, May 19, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Adolescent mothers are the focus of the Peruvian Bishops Conference Outreach program for this year, which will begin on Saturday, May 22.
According to the bishops, “2 out of every 10 women who give birth in Peru’s hospitals are adolescent mothers between the ages of 10 and 19” and therefore the focus of this year’s “Share 2004” outreach is “Adolescent Mothers: a worrisome and common reality.”
“The goal of the Share outreach is to invite all Peruvians to open their eyes and hearts to all adolescent mothers, as well as to reflect, deepen and improve their commitment to the poor and the excluded in our country,” the bishops said.
The Conference said the 2004 Share Outreach seeks to confront the reality of adolescent mothers through a reevaluation of the family and integral development of minors. “Therefore it is necessary to welcome, inform and listen to adolescents, in addition to stimulating support for them (young mothers) and for families.”