IN South Africa, teenage pregnancy is one issue that is quickly growing into a major concern, yet the “powers that be” seem to be looking the other way. The alarming statistics on adolescent pregnancies reflect, among other contributing factors, the secrecy around the sexual assault that young people are exposed to.
The government has implemented several strategies, such as making contraceptives available to girls as young as 12 years of age, but these are proving to be inadequate.
Experts suggested that such measures need to be supplemented by education – comprehensive sex education programmes in schools for both young boys and girls.
Siyanda Magayana, a senior