Picture: Teenager impregnated by older man/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
9 January 2025- The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development Committee has expressed sadness over the disturbing rise of teenage pregnancy in the province. The committee said it is gravely dismayed by recent media reports highlighting a deeply disturbing rise in teenage pregnancies in the North West.
The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee, Karabo Magagane said this crisis came into sharp focus during the North west Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi’s visit to Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg on New Year’s Day. Magaganae said it is with profound shock and sadness that they learned of a girl (16), giving birth to her second child, fathered by a 35-year-old man.
“This is a crime that began when she was just 15. Such appalling revelations cast a dark shadow on the future of our young girls and demand urgent action from all sectors of society.
“The implications of teenage pregnancies are devastating, creating a ripple effect that undermines the potential and well-being of our girls,” she said.
Magagane further said early pregnancies often force young girls to drop out of school, limiting their opportunities and entrenching cycles of poverty. She added that these young mothers are frequently stigmatised, dependent on public assistance, and in some cases, coerced into early marriages.
“We are deeply troubled by the systemic factors exacerbating this crisis, including gender inequality, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), substance abuse, poor access to contraceptives, inadequate sexual education and barriers to accessing safe termination of pregnancy services.
“Challenges within the healthcare system further compound this dire situation. While we recognise and commend the strides our government has made in improving access to quality maternal care for pregnant and parenting adolescents, the vulnerability of young girls to child marriage, teenage pregnancy, GBV and HIV infection persists,” said Magagane.
She said these intersecting issues require intensified and coordinated efforts. Magagane said as the Portfolio Committee, they call for strengthened collaboration among all stakeholders—government, civil society, law enforcement and communities—to combat this scourge.
“We support the Premier’s directive for clinics and hospitals to report such incidents to the relevant authorities, ensuring swift and decisive action against perpetrators. Law enforcement agencies must act expeditiously in cases of statutory rape and ensure justice is served.
“Furthermore, the Portfolio Committee emphasises the urgent need to bolster protection services, enhance prevention programs and respond more effectively to sexual and gender-based violence,” she said.
According to Magagane, this alarming trend of teenage pregnancies is not merely a social issue. She said it is a profound violation of the rights and dignity of the young girls.
“We call upon all South Africans to take a firm stance against this heinous crime. Let us collectively champion the rights of our girls to live free from exploitation, pursue education and thrive during the critical years of their development.
“It is only through united action and unwavering commitment that we can eradicate this scourge and safeguard the future of our youth,” said Magagane.
The Guardian 