Addressing South Africa’s teen pregnancy crisis: The wider health benefits and free availability of contraceptives

South Africa faces a persistently high rate of teen pregnancies, a challenge compounded by a significant number of young women who are sexually active but not using contraception.

According to the organisation Ibis Reproductive Health, 31% of girls aged between 15 and 19 are sexually active, do not want to be pregnant, yet are not using contraceptives.

While contraception is commonly associated with avoiding pregnancy, experts stress its wider health benefits, which are vital for the well-being and future of young people.

Dela Nai, Vice President of Africa Programs at Ibis Reproductive Health, explains that women and young people have utilised contraceptives for more than just preventing pregnancy.

“Some people, for example, use hormonal methods to make their periods lighter. People have heavy bleeding issues,” Nai states.

“Others have also been linked with, say, reduction of certain cancers, endometrial, ovarian cancers. So, all of these have protective effects.”

Nai added that access to contraceptives empowers young people to determine the courseof their future.

In a move to increase accessibility, contraception is available free of charge at public clinics and hospitals across South Africa. Nai highlights the variety of options provided: “And many of them, you know, provide this wide option, whether you're looking for pills, the injectables, implants, depending on who, you know, because it's individualised.”