Early Pregnancy

Blaming the wrong girl for getting pregnant

Adolescent girls and young women are blamed and shamed for falling pregnant, which affects how they are treated, the support they get, and the health services they reive

Zoe Duby

6 min read

In most cases, older men are coercing girls into having sex with them in exchange for material favours. These encounters are often unplanned, which means condoms or contraceptives are generally not used. File photo

ADOLESCENT BIRTH RATE

14 JUL 2024

Risky behaviour and coercion are driving the teen pregnancy crisis in rural South Africa

According to the 2022-23 District Health Barometer, there has been a 6.1% increase in the number of deliveries by girls and women aged 10 to 19, over the past five years

Aarti Bhana

5 min read