KwaZulu-Natal Premier launches strategy to combat child and teenage pregnancies

The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thamsanqa Ntuli, is set to officially launch the KwaZulu-Natal Multisectoral Strategy to Curb Child and Teenage Pregnancies on Tuesday.

The initiative will be launched at the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality within the Ugu District Municipality, showcasing the province's commitment to addressing a deeply embedded social issue.

HST's Phakama Digest report indicated that 31,088 girls between the ages of 10 and 19 gave birth in KZN between April 2023 and March 2024. The figures have been recorded at KZN's public health facilities.

The report stated that between April 2020 and March 2023, almost 11,500 babies were born to girls aged 10 to 14.

"Between April and December 2022, 26,515 pregnancies occurred among girls aged 10 to 19, and 1,254 of those new mothers were 14-years-old or younger.

"Pregnancy among girl children is 'a savage indictment of South African society', noting that each of the pregnancies were clear evidence of risky, coerced, and unprotected sex, and in many cases, of statutory rape.

"They highlight that sexual and gender-based violence, the economic insecurity of families, as well as inadequate health education, life skills, and access to health services, were key challenges that need to be addressed.

"The bodies of these young and adolescent girls are not physiologically ready for pregnancy, resulting in a greater risk of maternal complications and low survival rates for their babies.

"Beyond the reproductive and biological hazards of early childbearing, many have no choice but to fulfil motherhood roles for which they are not emotionally or materially prepared, along with facing social stigma," the report stated.

With adolescent pregnancy rates continuing to affect communities in the province, the Premier’s strategy emerged as a response to a resolution by the Provincial Council on AIDS.

Children aged between 10 and 19 years have increasingly faced the grim reality of early pregnancies, which bring devastating social, economic, and health repercussions.

In light of these pressing concerns, the KwaZulu-Natal government is advocating for a comprehensive approach that harnesses coordinated action and evidence-based interventions to combat this critical challenge.

“Under Premier Ntuli's leadership, the government aims to mobilise all sectors of society, including educational institutions, health services, non-profit organisations, and local communities, to fortify a united front against child and teenage pregnancies.

"The strategy is envisioned as a holistic, community-driven initiative, designed not only to reduce pregnancy rates but also to empower youths with the necessary information and support systems to secure a healthier, brighter future,” said Lindelani Mbatha, the premier’s spokesperson on Monday.

Mbatha stated that the launch signified an important milestone in fostering interdepartmental collaboration and reinforcing youth empowerment programmes throughout the province.

“By prioritising enhanced access to information and opportunities for every child and adolescent, KwaZulu-Natal is taking definitive steps towards nurturing an environment where young people can thrive,” he said.

The Department of Social Development in the province had previously cited poverty, poor parenting, and absent fathers among the contributing factors.

Shontel de Boer, spokesperson on social development for the DA in KZN, called for the departments of social development, community safety, and health to urgently form a task team to maintain a comprehensive register, tracking all cases of teenage pregnancies.

"They need to ensure that such pregnancies are investigated to ascertain whether the offender's age falls outside the legal parameters and to ensure appropriate criminal charges, where applicable.

"They also need to implement a court watching brief to ensure that prosecutors have the support needed to secure convictions and host awareness programmes, emphasising that those who prey on young girls will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

"The pregnancies are unquestionably caused by rape for girls aged 10 to 12 and almost certainly statutory rape for those aged 12 to 14 years."

The report further revealed that the comprehensive sexual education programme was currently reaching 61 out of 6,022 schools in KZN, highlighting a severe gap in sex education.

"We are currently conducting a national probe into how provinces are enforcing the Children's Act. In the case of KZN's horrific statistics, we will ensure all such cases are reported to SAPS for criminal investigation.

"Until men who commit rape and statutory rape against girl children are put behind bars, it will not be stopped," de Boer added.

Thuba Vilane, spokesperson for the KZN Department of Social Development, said there was a provincial integrated task team already working to combat the scourge of teen pregnancies.

"Maintaining a register to track cases of teenage pregnancy would be effective if mechanisms and systems are developed and reporting is monitored.

"Statistics of children giving birth to children need a coordinated and integrated approach in order to ensure integrated responses to the root causes of child and teenage pregnancies in the province," he said.

DAILY NEWS