Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
22 June 2023 | 18:31 CAT

A teenage mother to be (seven months pregnant), from Mqikela High school (in Lusikisiki): a school reported to have the highest pregnancy rate in the country.17/05/2007 PICTURE: ESA ALEXANDER /Sunday Times

After horror statistics were released on the number of children and teenagers falling pregnant, teenage pregnancies are again in the spotlight. One of the youngest children to fall pregnant is only ten years old. Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has revealed the alarming teenage pregnancy statistics in KwaZulu-Natal. According to the DA, this demands an urgent whole-of-society response.

According to the MEC, between April and December last year, 26 515 girls aged between 10 and 19 fell pregnant. A staggering 1 254 were aged 14 and younger—a shocking statistic highlighting a fundamental problem within society and the family lives of many young people.

According to News24, the shocking statistics prompted the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development and Health, traditional leaders, child protection agencies and police in the Ulundi municipality to take action.

They said the top of the agenda of the roundtable discussions was trying to find solutions to the high number of teenage pregnancies in the province.

The various departments better understand the drivers and conditions that give rise to this crisis.

This requires an in-depth study to identify circumstances, factors and omissions that give rise to young girls falling pregnant. Such a study must be co-funded by the relevant departments as valuable input to policy and legislative changes to foster a healthier nation.

Listen to a full interview on Your World Today with host Mufti Yusuf Moosagie and his guest Edwin Baptie, Democratic-Alliance KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson on health.