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2012-2016 national strategic plan, teen pregnancy

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“government plans to address the problem by introducing ‘sex classes’ for pre-teens into the school curriculum”

Pre-teen pregnancy woes

HIV infection amongst pre-teens is a major cause of concern according to the 2012- 2016 National Strategic Plan (NSP). The latest NSP documented HIV prevalence amongst girls between the ages of 10 and 14 at approximately 9.1%. This is according to an article in the City Press.

According to NSP results, HIV prevalence amongst pregnant girls between the ages of 10 and 19 is also on the increase.

Intergenerational sex or the “sugar-daddy” effect has been blamed for the rising numbers of young and very young girls falling into this trap, as many girls view relationships with older men as a means of escaping their impoverished circumstances.

Another article published in The Times addresses the same issue but highlights government's positive stance on the matter by introducing ‘sex classes’ for pre-teens into the school curriculum. The classes will target children from a much younger age than the health and education departments originally planned.