The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH), in partnership with the Gauteng AIDS Council, today convened a Provincial Seminar focusing on Teenage Pregnancy, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Mental Health at Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni.
This multi-sectoral engagement is part of ongoing efforts to address the rising numbers of teenage pregnancies, which are high in the province, particularly in the Ekurhuleni District.
Statistics highlight the urgency of these interventions, with over 24,941 cases of teenage deliveries and terminations of pregnancy recorded among girls aged 10 to 19 years of age during the 2022–2023 period.
Ekurhuleni District alone accounted for more than 6,670 of these cases.
Dr. Mkhulu Selepe, Acting Chief Operating Officer for Gauteng Health, reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to expanding youth-friendly services.
“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.
This expansion is important in ensuring that
more young people across Gauteng have access to these services that
will help them make better health choices,” said Selepe.
A young activist who shared her personal experience of falling pregnant at 14 years of age, Nozipho Ndlela, reflected on the challenges she faced as a teenage single mother.
“The experience was too much for me. I had
no support from the father of my child as he ran away. At times I had to use my T-shirts as nappies for the baby. This affected me so much I even took out my frustration on my child,” she revealed.
The GDoH Integrated School Health Programme manager, Marousi Mzondi, highlighted the province’s efforts to address the underlying issues affecting adolescents.
“Through the Integrated School Health Programme, we have identified seven interrelated challenges facing adolescents,
including substance abuse, teenage GBV, teenage suicide, and teenage pregnancy.
Addressing these issues requires a multi-sectoral approach,
such as the Bana Pele Integrated Programme, which includes
departments like Education, Health, Social Development and Partners,”
she explained.
The seminar concluded with stakeholders from government departments,
civil society, and community organizations discussing actionable
strategies to support young people.
By Simphiwe Nkosi
