Stakeholders support children’s anti-pregnancy pledge

Alex secondary school children will make their parents and community proud if they abide by their pledge of zero pregnancies and a 100 percent pass rate for this school year.

The pledge was recently made at a schools’ commitment dialogue held at SanKopano Community Centre by a group of 10 boys and 10 girls from Eastbank, Minerva, Pholosho, Kwa-Bhekilanga, Realogile, Alex High, Marlboro and Sandtonview Secondary schools.

The event was facilitated by NPO Lifeline and witnessed by this newspaper, NPOs, the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca), Sonke Gender Justice, Centre for HIV/Aids Prevention Studies, Alex police, members of school governing bodies and teachers.

The event coordinator, Lebogang Mahlaba, said teenage pregnancy at schools was a concern that needed the children’s active participation to curb it. “This dialogue will hopefully reduce the scourge which also affects primary school pupils. It is their responsibility to contribute to [end this] and its effects, which disproportionately impact girls who are forced to drop out of school and miss classes, resulting in a miserable future,” Mahlaba said.

She said they prepared the children for the pledge through advanced training on teenage pregnancy and its ills, adolescence and puberty, gender-based violence, HIV/Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases and other relevant topics.

Teacher Florina Hlongwane of Pholosho said the challenge was that children were sexually active at an early age with resultant pregnancies reported in girls as young as 14 and in Grade 6.

She said some research indicated that 70 percent of those who engage in sex did so without using condoms, risking other sexually transmitted diseases.

“They are embarrassed to get the condoms from shops and clinics; are influenced… by peer pressure and from low self-esteem; are lured by money and material things and are unaware of the consequences,” she explained.

She added that some were even misled to believe they would recover their virginity. Hlongwane urged school governing bodies to discuss this concern in their meetings.

Vital Kabamba of Sonke Gender Justice called for raising awareness in schools about gender-based violence, which contributes to sexual abuse and unwanted pregnancies. “This violence should be regarded as a human rights issue, [and must be] talked about publicly in order to develop a collective strategy to stop it and save the children,” he said.

A representative of the Centre for HIV/Aids Prevention Studies’ male circumcision clinic, called for boys to be circumcised as a defence against HIV/Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases. He, however, added that circumcision was not a licence to engage in sex. He also advised the boys to only start sexual relationships when they are able to take responsibility for its consequences, especially pregnancy.

Sanca’s Emmanual Mangena lamented the widespread drug use which, he said, was rampant among children. “It’s a concern, as most drugs are affordable and easily available. Its use advances from cigarette smoking [and] involved both boys and girls. Parents give money… unaware they used it on drugs and alcohol which affect their judgment, leading to unprotected sex, hallucinations, vulnerability to illnesses and risk of death. Respect and uphold advice from parents, teachers and elders when told to abstain from these risky behaviours,” Mangena advised.

Details: Lifeline 011 443 3555.