School going teenagers continue engaging in risky sexual behaviour, despite high infection rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV/Aids.
Unsafe sex has resulted in high teenage pregnancy rates in South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic’s first period 2020-’21, the Department of Social Development has revealed.
This challenge among teenagers is in focus during the observance of Child Protection Week speared by the Department of Social Development.
This year’s programme with the theme “Let us all protect children during Covid-19 and beyond” started on 29 May, ending on 5 June.
In line with protecting children, advocacy will also be against child labour, trafficking, exploitation and harmful traditional practices as well as abuse of children.
According to the department, during the pandemic’s first period in 2020-’21, about 34 587 teenagers gave birth nationally.
The Free State had 4 255 teenage mothers between ten and 18 years.
According to Mamiki Qabathe, MEC for Social Development, the province’s programme will intensify awareness for children to have access to their rights such as survival, participation, growth and development.
She said the increase in child abuse cases prompted the need to intensify awareness.
“From April 2021 to March 2022 759 cases of child abuse, neglect and exploitation were reported in the province while in 2020-’21 cases stood at 607. As a department we are concerned with the escalation and we plan to work with all stakeholders in fighting child abuse and exploitation,” said Qabathe.
