Save the Children Philippines Ambassador Liza Soberano is speaking out against teenage pregnancy, emphasizing how it robs young girls of their dreams.
She is promoting a new video from Save the Children Philippines that reinforces the message: let children be children, free to learn, play, and pursue their dreams.
"When a girl gets pregnant her dreams are put on hold. Instead of focusing on her education or playing with her friends, she faces the daily challenges of caring for a child, leaving her little time for school or to study," Soberano said.
The issue is close to her heart. Born to a teenage mother, Soberano understands the hardships young mothers endure, which continue to affect many girls in the country today.
In 2019, the Department of Education said teenage pregnancy has significantly increased dropout rates among girls, forcing many to abandon their education to care for their children. Most recently, the 2025 EDCOM II report further reveals that 25.1% of young respondents identified pregnancy and childcare as barriers to pursuing higher education, a challenge more commonly reported by young females.
"Many teenage mothers also struggle with emotional distress and the lack of support, leading them to drop out of school," Soberano added.
Save the Children Philippines has observed similar trends in the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, and Navotas, as well as in the provinces of Leyte, Samar, Sarangani, and South Cotabato. In these program areas, young mothers face interrupted schooling and limited opportunities for personal growth due to caregiving responsibilities.
To address these challenges, the organization, through its “Power Up Girls” program and the European Union-funded “ADDVOICE” project, is working in communities where children, families, and groups participate in learning sessions on their rights, reproductive health, and gender equality.
Learn more about how to protect children and ensure their access to quality education by visiting www.savethechildren.org.ph.