Shock as kids as young as 10 abort

DATA: OVER 700 MOMS AGE 10-14 TERMINATE PREGNANCIES

- Jarryd Westerdale

About 730 pregnancies were terminated by schoolgirls aged 10 to 14, shocking data showed.

A children's rights activist warned the issue was far worse than just sexually active teens, but a culture of exploitation perpetuated by economic hardship.

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) recorded 123 971 births by mothers aged 19 and below between 1 January 2024, and 28 February this year.

Roughly 17% of those births were late registrations, with late registrations increasing to 20% for girls aged between 15 and 19, and jumping to 34% for girls aged 10 to 14.

There were 2 108 live births registered for mothers aged between 10 and 14 during that reporting period, Stats SA said.

The department of basic education confirmed in a written parliamentary reply it had recorded 2 833 births or terminated pregnancies by pupils at health facilities between 1 April 2024 and end March this year.

Measured against Stats SA's info, that would amount to roughly 730 pregnancies terminated by girls aged 10 to 14.