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Submission information
Submission Number: 130
Submission ID: 940
Submission UUID: d9453a4a-dcdc-4870-afab-b0de5774cf5a
Submission URI: /2025/abstracts
Created: Sat, 05/03/2025 - 19:54
Completed: Sat, 05/03/2025 - 20:15
Changed: Wed, 07/23/2025 - 14:06
Remote IP address: 41.116.44.5
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English
Is draft: No
Current page: Complete
Webform: Abstract
Presenters
Ms.
Ngubane
Nozipho
Department of social development
Nozipho Babra Ngubane is currently an Acting Social Work Supervisor at Impendle Service Office . She holds a Bachelors degree in Social work from the University of KwaZulu-Natal . She also has masters degree in Child Care and Protection from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She works for the Department of Social Development with 14 years experience.
No
Abstract
Age of Consent and Lack of Policy Harmonization Influencing Early and Unwanted Pregnancy
THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SUB 2.3 Work with special and vulnerable populations (children, families, women, older persons, LGBTQIA+ etc).
Oral Presentation
Background
Early and Unintended Pregnancies (EUP) in Eastern and Southern Africa are proven to have higher percentage compared to other countries globally. This study aims to critically analyze the correspondence between the age of consent and barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health services in conjunction with the existing legal and policy framework implementation and implication.
Methodology
A desktop research methodology was used. Literature was sourced using keyword searches such as “age of consent,” “early pregnancy,” “policy harmonization,” and “sexual and reproductive health services” across academic databases and legal repositories. The review focused on Eastern a South African materials published between 2000 and 2023, including academic books, peer-reviewed journal articles, legislative texts, court cases, and policy reports.
Findings
The Children’s Act 38 of 2005 and The Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Act (CTOP) 92 of 1996 pose a paradox. The age of sexual consent is 16 years, and the other Act, allows a child of any age to consent to termination of pregnancy without parental consent. Literature reveals that the implications of this contradiction vary across population groups and that younger adolescent (ages 12–14) are less likely to access termination services compared to older adolescents, partly due to limited awareness and fear of stigma. Religion, race, socioeconomic and cultural beliefs also intersect with racial groups creating more barriers in public health settings than those with better access to private care. Reviewing existing policies for policy harmonization is essential to ensure effectiveness.
Conclusion
One approach may be the initialization of health care services in schools through routine health consultation for every child on a quarterly basis, so that early interventions and prevention measures can be enforced to prevent (EUP). Addressing (EUP) demands legal harmonization, ethical clarity, and inclusive, adolescent-responsive service models that align with the lived realities of young people.
Early and Unintended Pregnancies (EUP) in Eastern and Southern Africa are proven to have higher percentage compared to other countries globally. This study aims to critically analyze the correspondence between the age of consent and barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health services in conjunction with the existing legal and policy framework implementation and implication.
Methodology
A desktop research methodology was used. Literature was sourced using keyword searches such as “age of consent,” “early pregnancy,” “policy harmonization,” and “sexual and reproductive health services” across academic databases and legal repositories. The review focused on Eastern a South African materials published between 2000 and 2023, including academic books, peer-reviewed journal articles, legislative texts, court cases, and policy reports.
Findings
The Children’s Act 38 of 2005 and The Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Act (CTOP) 92 of 1996 pose a paradox. The age of sexual consent is 16 years, and the other Act, allows a child of any age to consent to termination of pregnancy without parental consent. Literature reveals that the implications of this contradiction vary across population groups and that younger adolescent (ages 12–14) are less likely to access termination services compared to older adolescents, partly due to limited awareness and fear of stigma. Religion, race, socioeconomic and cultural beliefs also intersect with racial groups creating more barriers in public health settings than those with better access to private care. Reviewing existing policies for policy harmonization is essential to ensure effectiveness.
Conclusion
One approach may be the initialization of health care services in schools through routine health consultation for every child on a quarterly basis, so that early interventions and prevention measures can be enforced to prevent (EUP). Addressing (EUP) demands legal harmonization, ethical clarity, and inclusive, adolescent-responsive service models that align with the lived realities of young people.
Reviewer ONE Feedback
Dr
Zurina
Abdulla
Yes
Literature review
Accepted
Reviewer TWO Feedback
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{Empty}
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No
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Accepted