Lee Hye-ja, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member, Urges Support for Adolescent Single Parents

Lee Hye-ja, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] Lee Hye-ja, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea, Muan 1), strongly urged the improvement of the support system for families of adolescent unmarried mothers and fathers.

On the 16th, during the 4th plenary session of the 348th regular meeting, Assemblywoman Lee delivered a 5-minute free speech, stating, "It is necessary to improve the support system so that adolescent unmarried mothers and fathers can receive comprehensive services from early pregnancy counseling to postnatal childcare," and added, "Necessary systems and conditions must be established to ensure that adolescent parent families are not marginalized or discriminated against, and to promote their livelihood stability and welfare."

She continued, "Adolescent mothers face not only health risks but also social and economic hardships, social isolation due to negative perceptions, burdens of pregnancy and childcare, and the dual difficulties of schooling and job seeking, all of which cause emotional instability that adversely affects their children."

She then demanded, "For diverse and detailed support, urgent measures include ▲ converting adolescent mother health support projects ▲ expanding and operating base institutions for unmarried mothers and fathers ▲ establishing support centers for adolescent parent families ▲ conducting surveys on adolescent unmarried mothers ▲ providing detailed support for pregnancy and childbirth, continuous support for childcare, education ▲ health, hygiene, and medical support ▲ housing and livelihood stability support."

Furthermore, she emphasized, "The first 1,000 days of life is a critical period when the brain grows rapidly, doubling in size within the first year after birth," and stressed, "It is absolutely necessary to provide in-home childcare services through direct visits to families of adolescent unmarried mothers and fathers."

In conclusion, she added, "Children of adolescent unmarried mother and father families should have the same starting point," and expressed hope that "Jeonnam Province will become a place that creates conditions where no child is abandoned and everyone can be happy."

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