Civil society group Action Society says the latest teen birth figures in the Western Cape are alarming.
According to the Western Cape Health Department, 292 girls aged between 10 and 14 gave birth between April and December 2025.
This is a decrease from the 317 over the same period the previous year.
However, Action Society’s Juanita du Preez says this should trigger urgent questions.
“These are not teen pregnancies in an ordinary sense. These are children giving birth, and every single case should trigger urgent questions about exploitation, abuse, neglect and whether adults around their child failed to protect her.”
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Health Department spokesperson Shimoney Regter said that while there has been a drop in teen pregnancy cases, she has urged young people to make use of Youth Zones for free advice.
“The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness continues to work closely with partners across government and civil society to strengthen prevention efforts. These efforts include comprehensive health education, improved access to contraception, community outreach programs, and services that support survivors of sexual violence.”
Mihle George
www.ewn.co.za