The department of women, youth and persons with disabilities (DWYPD) has called on communities, parents, teachers and young people to intensify efforts to prevent teenage pregnancy, warning the trend continues to undermine the health, education and future prospects of young South Africans. The department said teenage pregnancy remains a serious social and developmental challenge. The call follows figures released by the health department on New Year’s Day, which showed a sharp rise in the number of teenage mothers who delivered babies at public health facilities on the first day of the year.
Health department spokesperson Foster Mohale said the department was concerned about the increase. “The department is concerned about an increase in teen mothers. More than 160 teenage girls are among mothers who delivered bundles of joy on New Year’s Day, compared with just over 80 teen mothers recorded on New Year’s Day in 2025,” said Mohale.
A total of 1,669 babies were safely delivered on New Year’s Day 2026 across the country’s public health facilities, an increase from the 1,448 deliveries recorded on the same day last year. The department calls for stronger collaboration with government, NGOs and other societal stakeholders, including parents, to implement health interventions targeted at girls and young women together with their counterparts On Christmas Day 1,668 babies were delivered nationwide, which was 308 more than the 1,360 births on Christmas Day in 2024. Addressing teenage pregnancy requires a co-ordinated approach across sectors, said Mohale.
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“The department calls for stronger collaboration with government, NGOs and other societal stakeholders, including parents, to implement health interventions targeted at girls and young women together with their counterparts,” he said. Young people should be encouraged to make greater use of sexual and mental health services available at Youth Friendly Zones at primary health-care facilities, he said. “These are designed to provide safe, youth-friendly spaces with confidential health services to empower them and offer alternatives for healthier futures.”
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