FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape expresses its grave concern over the teenage pregnancy of a 12 year old girl who gave birth on New Years Day , 01 January 2025 at Frontier Hospital in Komani.
We are calling on all social partners including Department of Basic Education and Social Development to urgently come on board to decisively deal with this social ill, provide support to both the victim and her family. We have as a country a Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy policy which is in place at schools and the latter are obliged to report these cases of teenage pregnancy . Section 110 of the Children’s Act, 38 of 2005, makes provision for reporting of suspected cases of abuse for purposes of triggering immediate response and measures to assist a child whose life is at risk.
The World Health Organisation reported that South Africa has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the world with one in four girls becoming pregnant before they reach the age of 20.A sizeable number of these learners are between the ages of 10 and 16, meaning they became pregnant through statutory rape.
Teenage pregnancy is an emotional matter that needs to be addressed by society at large, as it is broader and also a multifaceted problem that requires a comprehensive intervention. We are calling for conversations regarding teen pregnancies and sexuality education as they are important if we want to turn the tide and save our children, especially the girl children, as they tend to carry the consequences should they fall pregnant.
We all have an obligation as communities, parents, caregivers, teachers, health professionals to report suspected child abuse cases and the challenge of teenage pregnancy is a societal one and requires a transdisciplinary and collective approach. All sectors of society must play an active role in addressing this pandemic effectively.
ENDS….
ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS -EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE
Enquiries :
Cde Gift Ngqondi
Provincial Head of Communications
ANC Eastern Cape
Mobile No- 0849519924/0848439706
