Pupils are seen during the launch of the campaign to stop teenage pregnancies in Butaleja District, Eastern Uganda, July 14, 2014. (Xinhua/Daniel Edyegu)

DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has pledged to support the government of Tanzania in ending teenage pregnancies that resulted in the increasing tidal wave of girls' dropouts from schools.

"Teenage pregnancy is a major roadblock towards Tanzania's socio-economic development," said Hashina Begum, an official from the UNFPA speaking Sunday in the political capital Dodoma during the commemoration of International Youth Day.

"We are very determined to continue cooperating with the government and other relevant stakeholders in controlling causes that lead to teenage pregnancies in Tanzania," she said.

Statistics from the Tanzania Bureau of Statistics showed that about 21 percent of Tanzanian girls aged between 15 and 19 have given birth.

Begum said teenage pregnancies could be curbed by imparting the young generation with sound sexual and reproductive education as well as providing them with better health services.

"Teen pregnancies stand tall among major challenges that derail socio-economic development in many African countries, including Tanzania," she said.

Begum said it was prudent for the government of Tanzania to focus more attention in the fight against teenage pregnancies.

She underscored the need for the government to ensure young people took part in political, economic and social issues in their communities and the country in general.

"This will enable them to make informed choices regarding their bodies, sexuality and reproduction without discrimination, violence or coercion," said the UNFPA official.

Begum said the UNFPA will continue cooperating with the government to empower young people in the country by giving them tools to become even more influential and productive actors in society.