GAUTENG GOVERNMENT TACKLES TEENAGE PREGNANCY THROUGH AWARENESS AND SUPPORT

By Sibongile Mofokeng

• ⁠Several government departments, including the Gauteng Department of Social Development, joined forces to tackle the challenge of teenage pregnancies during an awareness dialogue held in Diepkloof Soweto recently.
• The initiative targeted children most at risk of teen pregnancy.
• Peer pressure, family conflict, and poverty are often drivers of repeated teenage pregnancies, according to social worker Phathutshedzo Mukona.

An awareness dialogue hosted by the Gauteng Department of Social Development and the national departments of education and health took place at the Diepkloof Multipurpose Hall in Soweto on Wednesday, 7 May 2025, as part of a campaign to tackle the rising incidents of teenage pregnancy.
This was one of the activities taking place nationally as the country observes Child Protection Month in May.
The campaign engaged learners in critical discussions on the causes of teenage pregnancy, its far-reaching socio-economic consequences, and practical strategies for prevention.
A number of schools participated, including the Bona Comprehensive High School, Fons Luminus High School, Noordgesig High School, and Namedi High School, drawing learners from communities such as Orlando, Diepkloof, and Noordgesig.
The initiative specifically targeted children most at risk of experiencing teenage pregnancy.
Social worker Phathutshedzo Mukona, who formed part of the facilitation team, stressed that social development services are available to all who need them across the province.
She expressed satisfaction at the level of awareness learners showed around the impacts of teenage pregnancy, including emotional, physical, economic, and mental effects.
However, Mukona also raised a pertinent question: do young people truly understand the consequences of their choices and know about prevention methods, such as abstinence?
Mukona acknowledged that, despite ongoing awareness efforts, the department continues to grapple with high rates of teenage pregnancy.
A key challenges, she explained, lies in behavioural issues, particularly among teens facing difficult home environments.
She shared the example of a teenager subjected to domestic abuse who, despite receiving intervention, continued to return to the same harmful situation.
“Teenagers today seem to understand their rights more than their responsibilities,” said Mukona.
“Sadly, the consequences of their actions remain the same. Our role is to help them make informed choices, but ultimately, those decisions rest with them.”
Peer pressure, family conflict, and poverty are significant drivers of repeated teenage pregnancies, even among those who have previously received support, Mukona emphasised.
“We offer programmes for young mothers, but in some cases, the lack of stable support systems leads to repeat pregnancies,” she said.
To help break this cycle, the department runs several initiatives, including Sinovuyo, a programme designed to improve communication between parents and children.
Many teenagers, Mukona noted, struggle to speak openly with their parents and often feel misunderstood. The Sinovuyo programme encourages effective parenting and nurtures positive relationships, addressing the conflict at its root.
Rather than removing children from their homes, the department prioritises enrolling them in programmes that build identity, foster accountability, and promote healthier choices.
“Teenagers need to understand who they are and that the decisions they make now will shape their future,” concluded Mukona.