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[Fille photo]
Between April and July of this year, a staggering 117 girls aged 10 to 14 gave birth in the Eastern Cape. During the same period, just under 5 000 teenagers between 15 and 19 delivered babies in public hospitals in the province.
These figures highlight a deepening child pregnancy crisis in the province; many of these cases are legally classified as statutory rape.
Pressing social issue
In the small town of Kariega, just outside Gqeberha, one non-profit organisation says the crisis is worsening, driven by poverty, exploitation and a lack of support systems.
At the small festive season gathering, the laughter and music mask heavy stories carried by many of the young mothers attending.
Teenage pregnancy remains one of the Eastern Cape’s most pressing social issues. Many of the girls in the area say they navigate motherhood without financial or emotional support, often abandoned by their partners and left to face family disappointment on their own.
Two young girls recount their experiences.
“I was only 17 years old when I found out I was pregnant. I would feel nauseous every morning after I eat. So, the next day I went to the clinic and when I got there, they told me I’m pregnant. I was so afraid to tell my mother because she was very strict,” says one girl.
Another one adds, “I found out when I was 17, and I didn’t tell anyone for two weeks because I knew my parents would be disappointed. But when I told them, they encouraged me. Many people spoke badly about me, but my parents supported me.”
Statutory rape
The New Life Family and Crisis Pregnancy Centre works directly with girls in crisis, offering counselling and material support.
The Director of the centre, Joanna George, says the rise in teenage pregnancies can’t be separated from the broader social conditions in communities.
“Teenage pregnancy is definitely a big problem in the Eastern Cape. It has been for years, and it is just increasing. We definitely see the impact of it at the pregnancy centre – mommies coming in, parents coming in with their daughters who are in primary school and are pregnant. So, it’s a huge concern and there can be various reasons for it.”
Research has repeatedly shown that many teenage pregnancies involve older men.
National studies link a significant portion of pregnancies in girls under 16 to statutory rape cases that go unreported.
“I think a big part of it is the economic and financial situation of the parents and household. So, you get an increase in young ones who get older boyfriends because they have an income to sustain them and buy them nice things. Peer pressure is one of the things and substance abuse also plays a big role when it comes to the parents,” adds George.
Government response
In response to these alarming numbers, the Departments of Health and Social Development say they are expanding sexual and reproductive health education in schools, with a specific focus on consent and reporting abuse.
Eastern Cape Department of Social Development Spokesperson, Mpumzi Zuzile
“The Department of Social Development, in collaboration with the Department of Health, has initiated education programs aimed at providing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education in schools. These programs focus on teaching young people about consent, safe sex practices and the consequences of teenage pregnancy. The MEC from the Department of Health has also emphasised the importance of health services and has increased the availability of youth-friendly services in their clinics.”
The provincial government says it has been working with the police to address potential factors leading to teenage pregnancies.
Community members are urged to report any suspected cases of child abuse to the nearest police station.
