'It's rape, not pregnancy, say the youth

THE South African community has become desensitised to the ongoing crisis of teenage pregnancy, despite alarming statistics.

- APHELELE MTWECU

In 2024 alone, 68 813 births were recorded among teenagers. Of particular concern, 1 424 of hese births were to girls between the ages of 10 and 14. This means that, on average, nearly 365 adolescent girls give birth every day in South Africa, with approximately 10 of them being under the age of 15. These figures underscore the urgent need for renewed attention and action to address this societal challenge.

On Saturday, June 29, Africa Unite, in partnership with the Western Cape Government, Cape Town Museum, and the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Response Fund, hosted a dialogue at Rosendaal High School in Delft, Cape Town. This youth-led event focused on empowering learners by placing them at the centre of discussions about early parenthood. Unlike other discussions, this dialogue encouraged participants in breakaway commissions to openly discuss the causes of early parenthood and potential solutions.

The opening panel reflected that intention. It included Mafika Hadebe from the Department of Health and Wellness, Koketso Phumbu representing the GBVF Fund, Phelekwa Zinto, a social worker and peer educator from Africa Unite, and Onikayo Ngantweni, School Leadership Club Minister of Social Development. Their presence underscored the organisers’ commitment to youth-led dialogue, not just youth-targeted interventions.

“We need to stop calling it a teenage pregnancy,’ said Hadebe to the packed hall. “I’m always comfortable with early parenthood. When we say early parenthood, it brings the boy child to the conversation.”

‘It’s rape, not pregnancy’