Many families had added cheer during the festive season when they welcomed new babies over Christmas and New year. But with the bundles of joy also came some unsavoury news that among the new mothers were scores of teenagers under the age of 16, with the youngest being a 12-year-old girl from the Eastern Cape who gave birth on New Year's Day. A 13-year-old also became a mother on Christmas Day in Limpopo. There was widespread outcry over the teenage moms with some attributing the trend to weakened family structures, lack of adequate sexual and reproductive health education, and the pervasive influence of modern technology on the youth. Others pointed at economic hardships that amplify the risk of teenage pregnancies in disadvantaged communities, the prevalence of violence against women and girls and the erosion of cultural institutions and practices that once emphasized the importance of purity and self-discipline. According to the UN children's agency, UNICEF, early childbearing can derail girls' otherwise healthy development into adulthood and have negative impacts on their education, livelihoods and health. To unpack this hot issue of teenage pregnancies further,Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, the Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities  and Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa - CONTRALESA - President,  Kgoshi Mathupa Mokoena.

<p>Many families had added cheer during the festive season when they welcomed new babies over Christmas and New year. But with the bundles of joy also came some unsavoury news that among the new mothers were scores of teenagers under the age of 16, with the youngest being a 12-year-old girl from the Eastern Cape who gave birth on New Year's Day. A 13-year-old also became a mother on Christmas Day in Limpopo. There was widespread outcry over the teenage moms with some attributing the trend to weakened family structures, lack of adequate sexual and reproductive health education, and the pervasive influence of modern technology on the youth. Others pointed at economic hardships that amplify the risk of teenage pregnancies in disadvantaged communities, the prevalence of violence against women and girls and the erosion of cultural institutions and practices that once emphasized the importance of purity and self-discipline. According to the UN children's agency, UNICEF, early childbearing can derail girls' otherwise healthy development into adulthood and have negative impacts on their education, livelihoods and health. To unpack this hot issue of teenage pregnancies further,Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, the Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities &nbsp;and Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa - CONTRALESA - President, &nbsp;Kgoshi Mathupa Mokoena.</p>

SAfm Current Affairs is home to three informative one-hour-long news and actuality radio shows. Brought to you by SABC News.

<p>SAfm Current Affairs is home to three informative one-hour-long news and actuality radio shows. Brought to you by SABC News.</p>

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