SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT BUILDS CAPACITY TO TACKLE TEENAGE PREGNANCY

By Madali Chibambu.

• The two-day Train-the-Trainer workshop empowered 51 participants from across Gauteng regions – Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng, Johannesburg, Tshwane and West Rand, with practical tools to prevent and manage teenage pregnancy.
• Using the Child/Pregnant Learner Training Manual 2025 facilitators gained step-by-step guidance on teenage pregnancy prevention, group facilitation, and reporting.
• “This training is not only about knowledge but about action, empowering our teams to reach more learners and prevent teenage pregnancy before it starts,” said one of the facilitators from the Teddy Bear Foundation.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development’s Children’s Directorate, in partnership with the Teddy Bear Foundation, recently hosted a two-day Train-the-Trainer workshop aimed at strengthening efforts to address and prevent teenage pregnancy.
The workshop brought together officials from all five Gauteng regions, representatives from sister Departments such as Health and Education, and various Child Protection Organisations. Facilitated by expert trainers from the Teddy Bear Foundation, the capacity-building programme engaged 51 participants through interactive activities, group discussions, and video presentations.
The sessions focused on equipping participants with practical tools to effectively facilitate teen pregnancy support groups, manage challenges that may arise, and provide holistic assistance to pregnant learners and teen parents.
The training was anchored on the Child/Pregnant Learner Training Manual 2025, developed by the Teddy Bear Foundation. This comprehensive 12-module resource serves as a step-by-step guide for facilitators, covering diverse topics on teenage pregnancy prevention, group facilitation, and report writing.
Participants who completed the training will now cascade their knowledge by training colleagues in their respective regions, ensuring that the message of prevention, support, and empowerment reaches schools and communities across Gauteng.
These partnerships continue to strengthen the Gauteng Department of Social Development’s coordinated response to teenage pregnancy and reaffirm its commitment to empowering professionals who make a lasting impact on the lives of young people.