The IFP in the KZN Legislature says more needs to be done to address teenage pregnancies in the province, after a 15-year-old gave birth on New Year’s day.
Urgent action is needed to address the high rate of teenage pregnancies. Early last year, Stats SA revealed that more than 83 000 children gave birth countrywide during the 2019/20 financial year. KwaZulu-Natal registered 18 550 births by children aged 10 to 17 years during the same period.
The IFP calls for increased awareness to the public about family planning methods and abstinence. In addition, men need to feature more prominently when it comes to sharing the family planning responsibility.
This is only the tip of the iceberg. The IFP is of the firm view that reducing teenage pregnancies should be on the national agenda. It is disturbing to come across an adolescent girl experiencing motherhood at a time when her main concerns should be far less demanding than those of raising another human being. The sad reality is that every year, more and more teens are transitioning into motherhood prematurely.
There is an urgent need for inter-departmental collaboration among the Departments of Social Development, Health, and Education in order to educate, empower and create awareness among the youth about the downsides of unplanned parenthood.
Furthermore, the IFP demands that anyone who is preying on and impregnating underage girls be arrested. This includes any parents, guardians or care givers who ‘sell’ their children to sugar daddies for the exchange of groceries, money and gifts must be arrested.
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Contact
Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Health
078 302 3991
