Thuso Montwedi
In a concerted effort to tackle the rising rates of teenage pregnancy and associated challenges among Gauteng’s youth, the Gauteng Department of Health and the Gauteng AIDS Council hosted a multi-sectoral Provincial Seminar on Tuesday, 22nd of October, addressing critical issues of teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence (GBV), and mental health.
Held in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, a district bearing some of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the province the seminar brought together government representatives, health professionals, civil society organizations, and young activists to strategise around key solutions.
Statistics presented during the seminar highlights the gravity of the situation. Between 2022 and 2023, Gauteng recorded over 24,941 pregnancies and terminations among girls aged 10 to 19 years of age. Ekurhuleni alone accounted for more than 6,670 of these cases, a staggering figure that highlights the unique challenges this community faces.
Dr. Mkhulu Selepe, Acting Chief Operating Officer at GdoH voiced the department’s commitment to addressing these numbers through expanded access to youth-friendly health services across the province.
“In line with our commitment to adolescent and youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services, we have set a goal to increase the number of adolescent-friendly healthcare facilities from 294 to 310 by 2025 across the province,” stated Dr. Selepe during his address, emphasising the need for accessible and confidential services for young people. This expansion is a key part of the department’s Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Multi-Sectoral Intervention Plan, launched earlier this year.
Personal accounts of young people impacted by early pregnancy and limited access to resources brought an emotional perspective to the seminar. Nozipho Ndlela, a young mother and activist recounted her journey of falling pregnant at just 14 years. “The experience was too much for me. I ended up taking out my frustration on my baby,” she reflected, indicating that she would not want her peers going through the same.
The program of the day highlighted the need for a holistic, multi-departmental approach to address the many challenges that adolescents face. Marousi Mzondi from Gauteng health emphasised that issues like substance abuse, teenage nutrition, and GBV are intertwined with teenage pregnancy. “Through the Integrated School Health Programme, we have identified seven interrelated challenges facing adolescents, including teenage suicide, HIV/AIDS, and pregnancy. Addressing these issues requires a multi-sectoral approach, which includes departments such as Education, Health, and Social Development,” she explained.
In a significant step forward, Mzondi revealed that 74 Adolescent and Youth Zones have been established in health facilities across Ekurhuleni, staffed by young, dedicated nurses who are trained to address the specific needs of adolescents. These zones provide a safe and supportive environment where young people can seek guidance on sexual and reproductive health matters.
As the day concluded, stakeholders engaged in discussions to forge actionable strategies. The seminar left no doubt that the GdoH is stepping up its game, but it also highlighted the essential role of collaboration in achieving sustainable solutions. With commitments to increase adolescent-friendly healthcare facilities and address the underlying social determinants of teenage pregnancy, the department is working to create a brighter, healthier future for the youth.
SOURCED FROM THE GPG WEBSITE.
