More than 500 underage girls give birth in EC
The Eastern Cape Department of Health has revealed that more than 500 girls under the age of 14 years gave birth across the province in the last financial year.
According to MEC Nomakosazana Meth, during the first half of the financial year 2023/24, 60 cases of statutory rape were reported through the department’s Thuthuzela Care Centres.
All cases are currently being investigated.
Democratic Alliance member of parliament, Jane Cowley, said The DA is also calling on the National Department of Health, in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, to ensure that there is a policy in place to guide healthcare workers, social workers and the police in dealing with early teenage pregnancies.
“In cases of statutory rape, all perpetrators must be brought to book, whether the family of the underage girl agrees to lay charges or not,” Cowley said.
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