It was recently revealed that only two of every three learners who fall pregnant will return to school. The impact of teenage pregnancy does not only impact the ability of a learner to complete school but has long-lasting effects.
According to Statistics South Africa, more than 45,000 births recorded in 2021 were from mothers who were 17 years old or younger. A total of 42 of these births were from mothers between the ages of 11 and 12 years old.
Free World Initiative founder and CEO Lebogang Motau explain that this should not be reported as teenage pregnancy but rather as rape or sexual assault. This is because children under the age of 17 cannot consent to have sex.
Motau explains that several factors are contributing to rising teenage pregnancy rates. These factors include lack of education in terms of the reproductive system, peer pressure, access to contraceptives including condoms and individuals becoming sexually active at a younger age.
A Kimberley-based 20-year-old girl fell pregnant when they were 15 years old after they were raped allegedly by a man known to their family in 2015. They were forced to drop out of school when they fell pregnant.
The girl also experienced emotional trauma as they were fearful to inform their mother about the pregnancy.
“I was very sore, very sore and shameful, because I have nothing, nobody to support me like to stand me by for anything. I’m one and only. I am a mother and a father in this house. I make peace jobs,” they said.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) launched the Policy on the Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy in Schools which seeks to address issues resulting in teen moms being discriminated against at schools and prevent them from dropping out of school.
The DBE said the impact of teenage pregnancy on the affected learners is mitigated through the provision of a systemic, sustainable, structured, safe, and empowering environment.
An important aspect of the DBE teenage pregnancy policy requires schools to report pregnancies to the South African Police Service (SAPS) if the pregnant learner is under the age of 16 years old and was impregnated by a man 18 years and older which is considered statutory rape in South Africa.