Government urges youth to prevent teen pregnancy

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) has called on teenage boys and girls, parents, educators and communities to strengthen efforts to prevent adolescent pregnancy, which remains a persistent and serious challenge in South Africa.

The department said adolescent pregnancy continues to undermine the health, education and future prospects of young people across the country.

Recent data highlights the scale of the challenge: in the 2024/25 financial year, 117,195 girls aged 10–19 gave birth, and over 1,400 of these were girls between the ages of 10 and 14, underscoring the vulnerability of very young adolescents to early pregnancy.

National statistics show that adolescent births accounted for nearly 12% of all deliveries in 2023, and that births to girls under 20 have totalled more than 1.2 million over the past decade.

The department said adolescent pregnancy has severe consequences, often leading to interrupted schooling, higher dropout rates and limited economic opportunities. These outcomes, it said, affect not only young girls but also young boys, families and communities at large.

“Preventing adolescent pregnancy is a shared responsibility,” the department said, adding that teenage girls must be empowered with accurate information, self-confidence and support to make informed choices about their bodies and futures. The DWYPD also called for teenage boys to be actively engaged in understanding responsibility, respect and accountability as essential components of healthy relationships and life choices.

The department urged young people to prioritise education, personal development and long-term goals, delay sexual activity until they are mentally and emotionally ready, resist peer pressure and report coercion or abuse. It also encouraged adolescents to seek guidance from parents, caregivers, teachers, social workers and health professionals, and to access accurate, age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health information from clinics, schools and trusted sources.

Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, speaking on the issue, called on parents and caregivers to create safe spaces for open and honest conversations with young people. She said fostering dialogue at home and in communities is essential to helping adolescents navigate pressures and make sound decisions.

“This is about safeguarding the rights, dignity and future of our young people,” Chikunga said. “Our children deserve opportunities to learn, grow and thrive without being forced into adult responsibilities too early.”

The department also urged schools and community structures to strengthen life skills education and youth development programmes, emphasising that a coordinated, multisectoral response is critical to addressing the root causes of adolescent pregnancy.

The department’s call aligns with the government’s broader commitments under the National Development Plan, the National Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Framework, and the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. These frameworks recognise that early prevention and youth empowerment are vital to breaking cycles of vulnerability and inequality.

Adolescent pregnancy remains a prominent issue in South Africa, where nearly one in every 24 girls aged 15–19 gives birth, and the overall adolescent fertility rate stands at about 42 births per 1,000 girls aged 15–19.

Experts say these figures reflect ongoing gaps in access to comprehensive sexual education, youth-friendly health services and broader social support systems.

The development reaffirmed its commitment to working with all sectors of society, including government departments, civil society organisations and communities, to empower young people, promote responsible behaviour and reduce adolescent pregnancy rates across the country.