-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad.

We commence our #BehindTheFilter series this Youth Month by delving into the hidden world of under-aged girls falling victim to older men. The Department of Health in KZN says urgent dialogue is needed about the increasing number of teenage girls falling pregnant by older men. Statistics show that 150 000 girls between the age group of 10 and 19 years old fell pregnant in the 2022/23 financial year. Meanwhile activists are concerned about the "sugar daddy" crisis where young girls are seeking relations with older men for economic support. Researcher Noxolo Sibisi shared her study: "An Exploration of the Exposure of High School Teenagers to Gender‐based Violence with Specific Focus on Intimate Partner Violence" with us. Vee Gani from The KZN Parents Association helped us understand the situation on the ground. Ans Jessica Khanyile from Child Welfare Durban &District discussed possible interventions.