Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co wants to hold the government accountable for the increase in teenage pregnancies, which she has attributed to "systematic failure" caused by lack of protection.

Co, in her privilege speech during plenary session Monday night, Aug. 18, said teenage pregnancies benefit businesses as they "exploit vulnerable women and young mothers in need of jobs and services".

"This cycle of poverty and dependency is not accidental," she noted.

Co said adolescent and unwanted pregnancies "are not a question of individual moral failing".

Rather, "It is a systemic crisis, a systemic failure." Citing government data, she said that over 500 young women give birth daily in the country.

Co reckoned many adolescent pregnancies result from violence rather than choice.

She cited Commission on Population and Development figures that showed over half of youth pregnancy cases involved incestuous rape by fathers, uncles, or older relatives. Such cases skyrocketed during the pandemic.

"Sa halip na proteksyon, ang tahanan mismo—na dapat ay isang kanlungan kung saan tayo ligtas—ay nagiging kulungan ng pang-aabuso para sa maraming batang babae (Instead of providing protection, their own homes--which should have been a safe space--became a prison of abuse for many young girls)," she said.