​By Koketso Maraba
 
In the previous financial year (2023/24) over 19 000 teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 and 430 young children between the ages of 10 and 14 became parents while they were still children in Gauteng. The Ekurhuleni district recorded the highest number with over 6 000 pregnancies by teenagers aged 15 to 19-year-old while 158 young children between the ages of 10 to 14 became parents.
These alarming statistics led the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) to conduct a teenage pregnancy awareness campaign, targeting schools in the province. On Saturday (05 October) the Department through Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital hosted an awareness drive  with learners from various schools in Vosloorus to educate them about preventing teenage pregnancy and to motivate them to focus on their schooling. 
Marousi Mzondi, the manager for the Integrated School Health Programme, representing the MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, cautioned the teenagers about the significant risks posed by early pregnancy. 
"As young people, your bodies are still developing, and you may not be physically prepared for the challenges of pregnancy. There are also emotional and social consequences. Falling pregnant at a young age can disrupt your education and make it difficult to achieve your goals," exclaimed Mzondi. 
She educated the learners on the different ways teenagers can be subjected to risky behaviour including the issue of substance abuse and having sexual relations with older people (the Blesser-Blessee phenomenon) as contributing factors to the issue of teenage pregnancy. 
Zanele Ndlovu a professional nurse said collaborative efforts to combat this issue are needed. She called on parents and care givers to play a greater role in tackling the scourge of teenage pregnancy. Monitoring children's social media activities, discouraging early marriages, and teaching our children about statutory rape and the financial implications of becoming young parents are among the interventions Ndlovu emphasised on.
"We are all from homes that are facing different social ills, I learned that those issues should not be the reason for my poor choices which could lead to risky sexual behaviour and teenage pregnancy. I need to focus on my schooling to overcome my current social status," said 18-year-old Lerato Simelane from Erasmus Monareng Secondary School. 
Kgaugelo Mphela (16) from the same school said she learned how to carry herself as a young lady, the importance of visiting health facilities, and asking questions during Life Orientation about the different types of contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. 
In addition, Mzondi called for the inclusion of the boy child as they are equally responsible in this matter, saying, they need to be encouraged to think about their future and make wise decisions by avoiding risky behavior. 
Young people are encouraged to make use of  Adolescent and Youth Zones at clinics across the province. These zones provide confidential services by professionally trained nurses who will provide counselling to the youth to help them make informed decisions about their health and their future.