Edition November 2024

In any society, the socio-economic empowerment of teenagers is inextricably linked to, and a precondition for, fostering healthier, just, equitable, and prosperous communities. It is the responsibility of a caring and developmental state to provide sufficient resources and enough opportunities to young women from all walks of life in a way that guarantees their current and future well-being.

Global experiences clearly show that, when empowered and protected from predatory contexts, young women carry the potential to guarantee a healthy existential continuum of our society in a manner that contributes immensely to nation-building, nation management, and national development. The youth, after all, are a strategic resource and, to a large extent, an intellectual reservoir of ideas essential for moving South Africa forward.

While the current socio-economic conditions pose a direct threat to national stability and undermine our future prospects, it is not the youth who are a threat to our current and future wellbeing. Rather, it is the conditions under which they continue to exist that create opportunities for both known and unknown threats to emerge and become institutionalised.

Without a more purposeful, quantifiable, and deliberate investment in their potential and capabilities, South Africa will not be positioned to reap the benefits of its demographic dividend. By addressing the root causes of adolescent pregnancy, we can reduce poverty, improve social well-being, increase economic participation, enhance innovation, and cultivate a more skilled and productive population. Their empowerment will ultimately contribute to the kind of growth that is shared, far-reaching and sustainable.

Currently, South Africa's population stands at approximately 61.4 million, with the majority residing in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western and Eastern Cape. Between 1996 and 2022, our youth population grew from 14.7 million to 21.6 million, an increase of 6.9 million, or 38.6%. However, the age group of 15–19 years has shown the least growth during this period.

Adolescents aged 10–19 comprise 17.4% of our population, contributing to 2.1% of total mortality. These young people grapple with numerous challenges, including high rates of unemployment, poverty, crime, gender-based violence and femicide, and significant mental health issues. Disturbingly, Statistics South Africa reports that 35.4% of children – one in three – have faced some form of sexual abuse.

Adolescent pregnancy remains a pressing issue, particularly among girls aged 10–19, and poses serious health and social challenges. The factors driving this phenomenon are complex and multifaceted. Globally, about 16 million girls aged 15 to 19 give birth each year, representing approximately 11% of all births worldwide. Effective interventions are necessary to combat teenage pregnancy, including strengthening family structures, enhancing community safety and ensuring equitable access to education.

Adolescent girls with unintended pregnancies face heightened risks of health complications, including eclampsia and premature labour, and are more susceptible to unsafe abortions and adverse maternal health outcomes. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 guarantees teenagers the right to access sexual and reproductive health care, supported by laws that facilitate access to contraceptives.

Preventing teenage pregnancy requires a multifaceted approach, including comprehensive sex education and programmes that boost self-esteem, enabling young women to make informed choices about their lives. To truly empower adolescent girls, we must provide strong support in their experiences of health, education and overall well-being.

Government is committed to implementing the National Contraception Policy within educational institutions, ensuring alignment with the South African Schools Act of 1996, to promote consistent prevention messaging.

The socio-economic empowerment of teenagers not only benefits individuals but also supports our collective pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by fostering youth empowerment programmes, enhancing academic achievements, and promoting self-efficacy and economic independence among young women and girls.

Through a comprehensive social sector compact, we can target our efforts to support teenagers systematically, creating a positive cycle of development that educates and economically empowers them, ultimately reducing poverty in our country.

Government is taking decisive steps to address teenage pregnancy by fostering social cohesion as a foundational element for inclusion. We aim to ignite a sense of purpose among our youth, stimulating innovation and creativity for a better tomorrow. ❖