THE South African National Christian Forum (SANCF) has called on churches to play a role in curbing the rising number of teenage pregnancies.
This comes after Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba expressed concern on Christmas Day about the rising number of teenage mothers.
According to the figures, there has been an increase from 33 cases in 2022 to a worrying 50 cases in 2023, which the department believes requires urgent intervention in various areas.
SANCF president Bishop Marothi Mashashane said if representatives from different denominations came together to support the development and promotion of sexuality education programmes by religious institutions, this challenge could be overcome.
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Mashashane said the organisation wanted to focus on developing ways to encourage teenagers to attend church.
Mashashane said the idea that teenagers who go to church are less likely to have sex is based on studies from the early days of the age.
"We are asking representatives from different denominations to join the organisation to help develop and promote sex education programmes through religious institutions," Mashashane said.
He said that apart from the family, the church was the most important sexuality educator for young people.
"We are aware that there are subjects in schools that deal with sex education, but we also believe that we can make a big difference in our communities if churches also get involved," he said.
He said through religious education, self-control and patience are some of the things that should be preached to young people from an early age.
"Other challenges such as bullying and substance abuse should also be included in the fight against teenage pregnancy," Mashashane said.
