Picture: Teenage pregnancy a concern/Generic
By REGINALD KANYANE
10 March 2026- The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi has announced the implementation of a coordinated provincial response to reduce the scourge of teenage pregnancy and strengthen support for adolescent mothers. Mokgosi, who outlined this plan while delivering his State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the official Opening of the North West Provincial Legislature recently, said the initiative which will be led by the North West Department of Health, will see the Departments of Social Development and Education coming on board to implement this multi-sectoral effort.
“The coordinated response will ensure a unified, evidence‑driven response that protects our girls, supports young mothers, and strengthens the wellbeing of communities. The scourge of teenage pregnancy in our province, particularly among under‑age girls, can no longer be normalised.
“Teenage pregnancy in the North West is a critical concern for the government with a 12.8% birth rate among women under 20, driving school dropouts and socio-economic instability. Significant concern has been raised regarding high rates of underage pregnancy in areas like Setlagole and the Ditsobotla sub-district,” he said.
Mokgosi further said working hand in glove with the North West Departments of Social Development and Education, the Department of Health has been assigned to lead this initiative, recognising that teenage pregnancy is a downstream effect of broader social determinants including poverty, school dropout, violence, and limited access to youth‑friendly services.
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