South Africa
‘800 girls aged 10–14 fall pregnant in six months’─── ZENANDE MPAME 15:42 Wed, 10 Dec 2025
“When I fell pregnant at 13, I had to leave school and focus on the baby,” said teen mom Lihle Simons*. “We were struggling a lot, and I didn’t understand that nappies and milk were expensive.”
South Africa’s alarming rise in adolescent pregnancies has prompted urgent calls for decisive action. New data shows more than 117,000 girls aged ten to 19 gave birth in the past year.
“The whole experience for me was traumatic,” said Simons. “The judgement, the shame, dropping out of school, raising a baby with no support … I had to figure out how to be a mother while still being a child.
“It was the most painful experience as I was walking around with a big stomach, and I had a lot of people swearing at me and calling me names.”
Speaking at the Adolescent Pregnancy Indaba held at the OR Tambo conference centre on Friday, 28 November, deputy minister of justice and constitutional development Andries Nel said adolescent pregnancy is not just a social challenge. It is a “constitutional and justice issue that demands decisive action”.
It was also revealed at the indaba that 38,038 girls and teenagers gave birth at public health facilities between April and September, including 798 who were between the ages of ten and 14.
“As the department, we need to make the message very clear; no child under twelve can consent to sex; any pregnancy in this age group is rape and must be reported,” said Nel.
‘Teenage parenthood is not just a girls’ issue’
“Childhood should be a time for learning and growth, for dreaming big dreams, not facing adult responsibilities like pregnancy. Teenage parenthood is not just a girls’ issue; it reshapes the lives of boys as well.”
Teachers and principals are mandated to inform police and the department of social development immediately when they become aware of a case involving sexual abuse or exploitation of a child, said minister of basic education Siviwe Gwarube.
Looking ahead, Nel called for a coordinated national response and announced plans for a national strategic plan on adolescent pregnancy. This framework will prioritise comprehensive sexuality education, adolescent-friendly health services, community engagement, and support systems to keep pregnant learners in school.
* Not her real name.
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