Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
10 January 2025 | 11:45 CAT
3 min read

South Africa is grappling with a troubling surge in teenage pregnancies, with over 70,000 cases reported in 2024 alone. Adding to this crisis, the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has raised concerns about the rising cases of incest and its devastating impact on vulnerable children.

Chikunga highlights the far-reaching consequences of teenage and underage pregnancies, describing them as a serious threat to the country’s socioeconomic development. “Teenage pregnancies perpetuate the poverty cycle, especially among young girls from disadvantaged backgrounds, creating long-term challenges for families and society at large,” she said.

She emphasised the gravity of the issue, noting that children as young as 10 and 11 years old are falling pregnant, which cannot even be classified as teenage pregnancies since the teenage years begin at 13. She highlighted that these cases often involve minors who, by law, cannot provide consent, making such pregnancies particularly alarming. “That is why the statistics that you’ve actually referred to are alarming us. Because just in 2024, we have over 90,000, pregnancies that were recorded for girls aged between 10 and 19. But what is most alarming is that 2,328 of pregnancies involved girls aged between 10 and 14,” she said.

The Minister pointed to research indicating that many of these pregnancies result from sexual abuse within families, with perpetrators frequently being close relatives, such as uncles or, in some cases, even biological fathers. “But mainly important men in communities who will sleep with these children and then impregnate them, and the families will not even consider going to court. But I think it is a matter that we have to pay full attention to,” she said.

She acknowledged the significant role modern influences, such as social media and access to explicit content, play in contributing to teenage pregnancies. This leads to young people making decisions, sometimes misguided, due to a lack of proper guidance.

The Minister also pointed out that, in some cases, teenage pregnancies occur within families where abuse is normalised. Fathers may exploit their position of authority, convincing daughters that such behaviour is acceptable, while mothers and extended families often turn a blind eye due to economic dependence and societal pressure to keep family matters private.

She stressed that these issues are particularly prevalent in rural areas and highlighted the importance of involving traditional and religious leaders in addressing such problems, despite the fact that statutory rape cases are criminal offences. “We believe as the department that we’re supposed to make a follow-up to ensure that these people face the full might of the law,” she said.

The Minister explained that the Department of Health plays a key role once a pregnancy occurs, particularly in providing antenatal care to pregnant minors. She acknowledged that while the minor or their parent may have the choice to continue or terminate the pregnancy, if the pregnancy is carried to term, the child must receive appropriate care throughout the process. “But as soon as that happens, the health professionals have an obligation in terms of the law to report that in court so that it can be investigated. It’s an easy case to investigate because already there is a baby. There is the placenta. There’s everything that can link the father to the pregnancy. And that father can, therefore, be arrested as quickly as possible,” she said.

According to Chikunga, children as young as 10 or 12 years old are being forced into childbirth, which should not be tolerated in any country. These pregnancies often result in complications such as Caesarean sections and the birth of deformed children, which further burden young mothers who are not prepared for such responsibilities.

The Minister clarified that statutory rape cases, such as those involving underage girls, must remain state cases and cannot be withdrawn by parents or families, even if they are offered money. She highlighted the unfortunate reality that some families, particularly those in poverty, may be tempted to withdraw cases in exchange for financial compensation, but this practice must be stopped to ensure the protection and justice for the minors involved. “And we are saying it can’t happen. When any family does that, they’re obstructing the law from taking its cause, and they must be charged for that, including the father who must actually be arrested,” she said.

To prevent teenage pregnancies, the Minister stressed the role of families, communities, and schools in providing proper education and guidance. She highlighted the importance of health and sexual education starting from primary school and involving religious leaders in addressing the issue. She also emphasised the legal obligation of everyone to report sexual abuse, ensuring that those responsible face justice, especially when DNA evidence can identify the perpetrators.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Habib Bobat and Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, here.