Forty-three teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 gave birth in Christmas and New Year’s Day in the province.
The youngest, a 14 and 15-year-old, delivered babies at Tonga and Barberton Hospital. According to the Department of Health, about 14.6% of this year’s deliveries are teenagers. 23 out of 186 gave birth on Christmas Day. Meanwhile, 34 were delivered on New Year’s Day.
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The MEC Sasekani Manzini has concerns about the increasing number of teenage pregnancies. “As we closed the year off 2021, our statistics show that every year when we report on Christmas and New Year’s babies, the number of teenagers increases.”
MEC Manzini reaffirmed their commitment as the Department to working with all stakeholders to reduce teenage pregnancy in the province.
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They will continue implementing programs in schools in collaboration with other stakeholders. There is a need to strengthen Sexual Reproductive Health Care education.
“Everyone must play their role in ending teenage pregnancies. As a society, we should take a stand and fight to secure the future of our girls. Let’s fight poverty, Gender based violence (GBV) which are contributing factors to teenage pregnancy,” she said.
