Latest News & Developments
teenage pregnancy
Age is just a number: CDC data shows 40s are the new 20s for baby-making
Whether the choice is to defer pregnancy until the 40s or to remain child-free altogether, one thing is clear: women are redefining the path of motherhood, embracing the power of choice.
SADAG's essential guidelines for responsible suicide reporting in the media
As South Africa grapples with rising teen suicide rates, a growing movement urges communities to shed the stigma surrounding mental health and take proactive steps toward prevention.
Navigating pregnancy? Here’s why a doula is your ultimate co-pilot
Are you expecting a baby and feeling overwhelmed by the choices ahead? Discover how hiring a doula can provide you with the support you need to navigate this life-changing journey, ensuring a more positive birth experience.
Let’s talk about sex: expert insights on the most Googled questions
Instead of relying on search engines, let’s normalise talking about sex responsibly with partners, doctors and educators.
Commission for Gender Equality highlight barriers facing teen mothers from returning to school
Dr Dennis Matotoka of the Commission for Gender Equality discusses the barriers that prevent teenage mothers from returning to school in South Africa and highlights the need for evidence-based interventions.
KwaZulu-Natal faces ongoing issue of baby abandonment, says Social Development department
Following a recent incident of baby abandonment in Verulam, the KZN Department of Social Development reveals that financial hardship and teenage pregnancies contribute to this ongoing issue.
Teen pregnancy rates surge in Western Cape
Recent statistics reveal a troubling rise in teenage pregnancies in the Western Cape, with significant implications for education and public health.
Gauteng Health Department responds to teenage pregnancy controversy and clarifies contraceptive stance
Gauteng Health Department clarifies stance on contraceptives for school girls amid controversy
Teenage pregnancy and statutory rape: South Africa’s basic education committee takes action
The Basic Education Portfolio Committee in South Africa is prioritising the challenges of teenage pregnancy and statutory rape, seeking public input to develop effective interventions.
Health department says there is ‘no surge’ in teen pregnancies
Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said that adolescent pregnancies are on a downward trend following an increase during the Covid-19 pandemic
Limpopo man charged with impregnating 13-year-old girl abandons bail
Initially, the man faced a charge of statuary rape as well as sexual grooming of a minor, however, the sexual grooming charge was dropped due to lack of evidence.
Calls for urgent attention to deal with teenage pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy in South Africa is a pressing issue, with over 122,000 teenagers giving birth last year. Stakeholders, including the SANCF and ANCWL, are calling for urgent action to address this crisis.
KZN celebrates New Year’s babies amid concerns over teenage pregnancies
On New Year’s Day, KwaZulu-Natal welcomed several newborns, including a concerning number of births to teenage mothers, prompting discussions on teenage pregnancies.
Growing calls for dialogue on teen sexual health in KZN
Calls for intensive dialogue on teenage sexual health rise as KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane addresses alarming teenage pregnancy rates during a Christmas celebration.
Public servants who do not report statutory rape are secondary ‘raping’ children, says Premier Phophi Ramathuba
Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba cautioned medical professionals that failing to report such instances of statutory rape could result in criminal charges being brought against them.
ANCWL calls for government action amid rising teenage pregnancy rates in SA
Following the recent teenage pregnancy cases on Christmas Day, including a 13-year-old teenage girl who gave birth, the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) is urging the departments of Basic Education, Health, Social Development, Justice and Constitutional Dvelopment to address the root causes of the crisis.
Christmas births reveal deep-rooted concerns over teenage pregnancy in South Africa
The birth of over 570 babies this Christmas was a cause for celebration. However, the reality faced by young mothers in South Africa is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the crisis of teenage pregnancy.
Limpopo man, 28, arrested for impregnating 13-year-old girl who gave birth on Christmas Day
Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the man met the girl in Seshego in January, and they were intimate in May.
Tackling child and teen pregnancy in Eastern and Southern Africa
Experts at the UKZN conference highlight alarming rates of adolescent pregnancies in Eastern and Southern Africa
Health professional empowers youth to take control of their sexual health
Veronicca Ndhlovu, once a 17-year-old girl struggling with a discriminatory healthcare system, now leads the charge for youth-friendly sexual health services in South Africa. Her journey highlights the urgent need for improved sexual health education and support for young people facing the realities of teenage pregnancy and HIV.
Breaking the stigma: improving sexual and reproductive health services for youth in South Africa
Veronica Molefe’s journey from a scared teenager to a passionate health advocate shines a light on the urgent need for youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services in South Africa.
Don’t Look Away | ‘He hit me and I stayed but when he hit our daughter, I fled’
A young mother stepped up for her child after enduring years of abuse from her partner. She wishes for other women to not ignore any red flags and flee at the first sign of danger.
Social media outcry: mother's baby shower for her 12-year-old sparks debate
The viral TikTok clip serves as a fulcrum for a critical conversation around the challenges of teenage pregnancy in South Africa, posing essential questions about cultural practices versus legal obligations.
Newborn boy found dead in bush, foetus found in bin in less than 24 hours in KZN
People rummaging through the bin on JB Marks Road in Glenwood in Durban made a horrifying discovery of a foetus.
Youth uplifted with career master-classes and health checks in Cato Manor
The Innovation Festival Durban’s youth community expo in Cato Manor is empowering young people through collaboration and valuable resources.