By: Buhle Mbhele
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) is calling on the government to formally declare the country’s teenage pregnancy crisis a national pandemic. The party believes this would prompt the urgent allocation of resources and greater policy attention.
According to recent data cited by the party, more than 2,716 girls aged between 10 and 14 years gave birth in just one year. Alarmingly, over 100 of these cases were recorded in the Eastern Cape between April and July this year.
ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona says the figures point to a deepening national crisis that requires immediate and comprehensive intervention from all sectors of society.
“We are facing a moral and societal emergency. These are children having children, often as a result of sexual abuse, coercion, or lack of access to education and healthcare,” said Ntshona.
The party is calling for stronger child protection services, improved access to sexual and reproductive health education, and greater accountability for perpetrators of statutory rape.
This call comes amid growing concern over South Africa’s high rates of adolescent pregnancy, which have serious long-term consequences for girls’ education, health, and economic opportunities. Statistics South Africa and health sector reports show that teenage pregnancy rates are particularly high in under-resourced communities, where access to contraception, support services, and awareness programmes remains limited.
