JOHANNESBURG - Civil society organisations working closely with parents and children argue that while the government has increased access to information and services, information alone cannot replace parenting.
Child and Youth Practitioner and founder of the Durban-based NGO Ikusasa Ngelami Zonke Shazi-Hlongwane stresses that parenting involves guidance, teaching values, building self-esteem, and helping children learn how and when to say no.
“ As much there is information and we are relying on clinics to teach children sexual education and contraceptives, that can never replace parenting where guidance and values are inculcated.
I am telling parents that the first line of communication should be at home, and it must be open communication. Every parent must ensure that when they communicate with their child, they must understand.
Statistics showing mothers as young as 15 years old raise serious concerns. This means some children fall pregnant at 14, an age at which they cannot legally consent to sexual activity in South Africa.
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In such cases, the law classifies these incidents as statutory rape.
Shazi-Hlongwana argues that young people and society have normalised relationships between young girls and older men, discouraging accountability.
“If we keep normalising certain things, they become a norm, and children take it as the gospel truth. We have not yet begun the conversation on how to deal with issues of adults taking advantage of children…”
She says the burden of teenage pregnancy often falls entirely on young girls, many of whom are left to raise children without financial.
The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has called on parents, teachers, communities, and social partners to intensify efforts to prevent teenage pregnancy.
Chikunga warns that teenage pregnancy is not only a challenge affecting girls, but also boys, families, and entire communities.
She says the issue should be treated as a crime against the state.