Political parties, alongside gender-based violence (GBV) organisations, are calling for urgent action from police authorities following the shocking revelation that 296 pregnancies were documented among girls aged 10 to 14 in the Western Cape during the 2024/25 financial year. This distressing statistic was released by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness and brought to public attention by DA spokesperson on Social Development, Wendy Kaizer-Philander.
The Cape Argus reported that community leaders and organisations are demanding a thorough investigation into these cases, underscoring the alarming implications of such figures.
Siya Monakali from IIitha Labantu expressed deep concerns, stating that the data reveals not just a health crisis but a profound issue of child protection. “The numbers and ages are shocking, and it has sadly become a norm in communities,” he remarked.
Monakali stressed that discussions around these pregnancies often fall under the misleading umbrella of ‘teenage pregnancy’, which diminishes the severe reality at hand. “These are not simply teenage pregnancies. These are children,” he said emphatically.
Monakali pointed out that a child in this age bracket cannot be treated or viewed similarly to older adolescents when it comes to issues of pregnancy. He stated that any pregnancy involving a child should instigate serious concerns about underlying issues, including child sexual abuse, statutory rape, and systemic failures in protecting children from such harm. “As a country, we must be careful not to normalise or sanitise what should be treated as a child protection emergency,” he urged, emphasising that the true story is not merely that children are becoming pregnant but that they are being violated.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the Department of Health and Wellness reported an alarming rise in adolescent deliveries over the past three financial years, noting a 26.66% increase in adolescent births. The figures reveal that deliveries among girls aged 11 to 19 have seen a steep rise, indicating a growing challenge despite existing intervention efforts: from 8,114 deliveries in 2022/23, it surged to 9,938 in 2023/24, and reached 10,277 in 2024/25.
This crisis calls for immediate and robust action from law enforcement and child protection agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of the most vulnerable members of society. As the alarming figures continue to emerge, stakeholders are united in their demand for a comprehensive approach that not only addresses the symptoms but also the root causes of this pressing issue.
IOL
IOL Reporter
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