122,000 Teen Mothers Recorded Across South Africa
by Schools4SA
122,000 Teen Mothers Recorded Across South Africa
Key Items
- 122,000 teen mothers in South Africa in the past year
- 2,716 births from girls aged 10-14
- 119,587 births from teens aged 15-19
- Poverty, gender inequality, and poor access to contraceptives are major factors
- Urgent need for comprehensive sex education
In the latest financial year, South Africa recorded an alarming 122,000 teenage pregnancies, including 2,716 births from girls aged between 10 and 14 and 119,587 births from teens aged 15 to 19. DA National Deputy Spokesperson on Social Development, Alexandra Abrahams, highlighted that factors such as poverty, poor access to contraceptives, gender inequality, sexual taboos, high levels of gender-based violence, and inadequate sex education contribute significantly to this issue. Abrahams has urged the chairperson of the Social Development Committee to summon the Department of Social Development to address the problem and consider their policy recommendations. The Department of Basic Education reported that 33% of girls do not return to school after becoming pregnant, severely affecting their educational and employment prospects and reinforcing gender gaps.
In the past financial year, a staggering 122,000 South African teenagers gave birth, including 2,716 girls aged between 10 and 14, and 119,587 teens aged 15 to 19. According to DA National Deputy Spokesperson on Social Development, Alexandra Abrahams, teenage pregnancy in South Africa is driven by multiple factors such as poverty, poor access to contraceptives, gender inequality, sexual taboos, high levels of gender-based violence, and inadequate sex education. Abrahams has called upon the Department of Social Development to address these issues comprehensively.
Main Takeaways
- Teenage pregnancy in South Africa is alarmingly high.
- Lack of sex education and access to contraceptives are critical issues.
- High levels of gender-based violence contribute to the problem.
Reference:
https://www.citizen.co.za/zululand-observer/news-headlines/local-news/2024/08/13/122-000-teen-mothers-recorded-across-south-africa/
