Bleak future for young girls with 23 226 reported teenage pregnancies in Gauteng
17 August 2021
The DA notes that 23 226 teenage pregnancies have been reported in the province from April 2020 to March 2021, which indicates a great need by the Gauteng Department of Education, Department of Social Development and Department of Health to strengthen their teenage pregnancy and sex education campaigns to conscientize our teenagers.
This information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Health, Nomathemba Mokgethi in a written reply to my questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
Teenage pregnancy impacts negatively on educational opportunities for young girls, especially those without the proper support and help, and are less likely to finish high school and pursue a career to support their families.
According to MEC Mokgethi, 934 babies were delivered by girls between the ages of 10 to 14 years, 19 316 babies were delivered by girls between the ages of 15 to 19 years, while 2976 girls between the ages of 10 and 19 years did a Choice on Termination of Pregnancy. In total there were 23 226 teenage pregnancies in Gauteng from April 2020 to March 2021.