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Halfway houses planned for single moms and dads

The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) said in a statement on Friday that it plans to set up halfway houses for single mothers to provide them with a support network.

"Four halfway houses for young single mothers have been registered with regional governments, and two more are in the process of applying for operation permits. These homes not only provide help for single mothers, but also to single fathers as well," said MOI Children's Bureau chief Huang Bi-hsia (黃碧霞).

Statistics provided by the MOI showed that in 2002, there were 10,548 girls between the ages of 15 and 19 who were single mothers. That number decreased to 8,775 last year.

According to a 2001 study conducted by Chiang Chian-dai (江千代), a gynecologist at Women's and Children's Taipei City, the abortion rate among pregnant girls in Taiwan is extremely high. Chiang's study, which was presented at a conference held by the Taiwan Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology two years ago, indicated that of the 1,000 or so girls between the ages of 15 and 19 who became pregnant, about 80 percent opted for an abortion.

In a public statement, the MOI pointed out the importance of government intervention on the matter.

"Most of these girls who get pregnant out of wedlock opt for abortions without their parents' consent. Since unwed parents are often ostracized, and as such, we hear many stories about abandoned babies in public restrooms or in trash bins," the MOI said in a statement.

"These reports hurt those directly involved in the events. Therefore, it is right for the government to intercede," the statement added.

In order to devise a well-rounded plan to deal with single parents, the MOI plans to expand sex education in school and also join with the Ministry of Education and the Department of Health to come up with educational material.

Their joint efforts will include textbooks on sex education, promotion of gender equality and safe sex and collaboration with civic groups and regional governments. The single parent halfway houses project is also part of this joint effort.

Services at the halfway houses will include counseling, postpartum care and shelter and health care assistance for infants in order to help single parents get back on their feet.

Sources said the halfway houses will also provide assistance to single fathers who are in need of assistance.
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