“Despite all challenges, strive for a better future.”
This statement was made by deputy director general Onkemetse Kabasia of the Gauteng Department of Social Development at its Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Awareness Campaign, aimed at children in government-based schools, at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre recently.
Speaking to about 360 teenagers, he said: “You live once, so discard a fake life and accept who you are, love yourselves and strive for a better future.
“Peer pressure and being misled by older partners may negatively impact your prospects and you may live to regret the decisions for the rest of your life.”
Social worker Daphne Naidoo said: “The Child Act 38 of 2005 Section 134 (2) stipulates that contraceptives such as condoms may be sold to children over the age of 12, but those below 12 who are not mature enough require parents’ or caregivers’ consent.
“Alcohol and drug abuse lead to unprotected, unplanned and regretted sex which also put young women at risk of sexual assault, HIV/Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases. Adolescent pregnancy interferes with young women’s educational attainment, resulting in fewer job opportunities for them,” added Naidoo.
“Teen pregnancy has become a national epidemic in that there is a great cost to individuals and families when children have children.”
She added that teenage mothers are more likely to experience adverse pregnancy outcomes and children born to very young mothers are at increased risk of sickness and death.
“Being different isn’t a bad thing. It means that you’re brave enough to be yourself,” said Naidoo.
Mpumi Luthuli from the Gauteng Department of Social Development warned girls not to overcompensate their partners as they are still teenagers who experiment with love, which does not guarantee a positive future.
Thembekile Nkosi* applauded the department and its stakeholders for hosting an educational awareness programme and said: “Keep up the wonderful work of caring for us and hosting these sessions at least twice a year so that we stay positive in our approach to life.”
Teenagers later merged into seven groups to deliberate on topics including how to prevent pregnancy, factors contributing to teenage pregnancy, risks involved in teenage pregnancy, support to parents whose children become pregnant, role of stakeholders in fighting teenage pregnancy, support to teenage parents, and impact of teenage pregnancy on the society.
The resolutions will further be discussed at the institutional imbizos and the children’s conference later this year.
*Not her real name.
Follow us on these social media platforms:
