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In most cases, older men are coercing girls into having sex with them in exchange for material favours. These encounters are often unplanned, which means condoms or contraceptives are generally not used. File photo

Risky behaviour and coercion are driving the teen pregnancy crisis in rural South Africa

According to the 2022-23 District Health Barometer, there has been a 6.1% increase in the number of deliveries by girls and women aged 10 to 19, over the past five years

Research shows that starting sex education at a young age can decrease the number of gender-based violence cases and teenage pregnancies. (Oupa Nkosi)

Tears Foundation launches digital gender-based violence educational tool

Research shows that starting sex education at a young age can decrease the number of gender-based violence cases and teenage pregnancies

A recent conference demonstrated how eager young women in Sierra Leone were for information, and how helpful it is to receive it

Teaching African girls about sex

A recent conference demonstrated how eager young women in Sierra Leone were for information, and how helpful it is to receive it

Best friends Otis (Asa Butterfield) and Eric (Ncuti Gutwa) lost in the woods is a fitting visual metaphor for the confusion of teenage sexual discovery in Sex Education.
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Please don’t celebrate me: Nothing hurts more

The Netflix series Sex Education shows that whether you’re celebrating or vilifying “the Other”, it’s all part of the same subjugation

Funding cuts will reverse the progress made and weaken health systems.

South Africa’s teen moms are on their own

State health facilities and the school curriculum have failed the youth, forcing young mothers into unsupported single parenthood

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: The NGO Action Breaks Silence runs the Hero

Romeo and Juliet are sexting: Will SA’s new sex-ed prepare kids for life and love?

From “sinister sexual behaviours” to “lies” and efforts to “manufacture ignorance”, Joan van Dyk looks at the high-stakes sex-ed fight

‘ … my palate became more discerning and eventually I could tell the difference between a good merlot and that swill that came out of a box

Safely embrace  ‘hoe is life’

Queer people had only the heterosexual space for early lessons in sexual identity

The rand reached R10.96 to the dollar this month from R10.38 in November 2013.

Should you really be talking to your 10-year-old child about sex?

By the age of 10, children’s ideas about gender, relationships and violence are largely set in stone.

Unplanned: Youths in the informal settlement of Kibera

Sex education fails Kenya’s pupils

The country has a comprehensive teaching programme but it is poorly implemented

Sadtu declared their commitment to improving quality public education by defending the education budget

Let’s really talk about sex, baby: Improving sexuality education for children

Sexuality education forms part of the Life Orientation curriculum in South African schools to help learners navigate the challenges of growing up

Hit and miss: Many women face challenges using contraceptive pills and some men resist using condoms or fail to use them properly during intercourse.

Tanzania: 22.8% of teen girls are mothers

Many children between the ages of nine and 12 have had sex. The average woman has about five children.

The pleasure of pain: It is all about sexually ethical

Let’s talk about sex, ethically

Sex education is often limited to blistering genitals and contraception. But what about the ethics of sex? Michelle Solomon argues for its inclusion.

What do the kids have to say?

The M&G interviewed children between the ages of 10 and 17 to find out how music, TV and social media shapes their approach to relationships and sex.

The staff of the Naguru Teenage Information and Health Centre in Kampala receive special training so that they can offer expert advice on contraception and sexual health issues. Will Boase

Ugandan sex clinic gets the youth talking

Young people have struggled to access nonjudgmental reproductive healthcare, but the Naguru Teenage Information and Health Centre is changing that.

Hit and miss: Many women face challenges using contraceptive pills and some men resist using condoms or fail to use them properly during intercourse.

Young women told: ‘If a man touches you, you’ll get pregnant’

Unintended pregnancies and abortions in Nigeria could be reduced if myths are dispelled and young women have the right information.

(Reuters)

Contraception at schools on Gauteng’s agenda

Gender activists have welcomed talks between two departments about ways to reduce teenage pregnancies, but no decision has yet been taken.

A new health and education programme helps sex workers to get access to health services such as HIV counselling and testing

Health project helps sex workers – but rogue cops a problem

The Aids council’s programme is a "big step in the right direction", but abuse by police still needs to be tackled, says an HIV specialist.

That’s no moon: Porn gives teens unhelpful expectations

Sex fallacies must be laid to rest

The school curriculum doesn’t cover having ‘good’ sex, so the youth consult their phones.

Tricky topic: Thami Mayo is a parent of a girl at Gonyane Primary School who told the M&G about the difficulties of discussing sex with his young child.

It’s no breeze to explain birds ‘n bees

The HPV vaccine roll-out is prompting parents to rethink how they talk to children about sex.

Thanks to a number of innovations over the past few years female condoms have sensualised sexual health. (AFP)

Birth control hits the spot

Female condoms have sensualised sexual health thanks to the increased tactility of new materials.