𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗣𝗨𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔 – 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗡 𝗔𝗦 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗦 𝗧𝗘𝗡 (𝟭𝟬) 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗛:

𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗣𝗨𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔 – 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗡 𝗔𝗦 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗦 𝗧𝗘𝗡 (𝟭𝟬) 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗛:

The Commission for Gender Equality Mpumalanga Office, led by Commissioner HRH Princess Eurika Mogane held a stakeholder engagement at Thulamahashe, on harmful cutural and religious practices, teenage pregnancy and the sexual exploitation of young women in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality.

The objective of the engagement was to conduct a Research Based Engagement, aimed at keeping all stakeholders accountable as per the powers of the CGE. The session was attended by the Speaker of the Mpumalanga Legislature, Honourable Makhosazane Masilela and the Executive Mayor of Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, Cllr L.M. Moroane and members of civil society organizations.

Commisioner HRH Eurika Mogane set the tone for the day and urged everyone to work together in addressing the challenges faced by our communities. She decried the abuse of teenage girls especially learners and called on stakeholders to follow Legislation with regards to the Duty to Report. “We as a Chapter 9 Institution keep all stakeholders to account, without any fear or favour. We have key stakeholders who are dropping the ball and this engagement is meant to address those cases, address the loopholes and find ways of establishing a collective call to action for those who fail to follow their respective roles in dealing with Teenage Pregnancy, Sexual Exploitation and more.”

The Honourable Speaker gave a message of support welcoming the Research Initiative. The Speaker reaffirmed the commitment of the Legislature in addressing issues faced by teenage girls in the province. She further stated that legislation alone is not enough to address the challenges but we need a societal change to create a conducive enviroment for teenage girls.

The Executive Mayor presented on harmful practices in the Bushbuckridge area, and the Department of Education gave a presentation on teenage pregnancy statistics in the province, Ehlanzeni District and Bushbuckridge Municipality respectively, which showed a decrease in the past 3 years yet still alarmingly high. Sonke Gender Justice presented on the prevalence of sexual exploitation of young women in the Bushbuckridge area and the factors contributing to such illegal acts.

The Honourable Speaker expressed the desire to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding with the CGE which will enable both institutions to strengthen each other’s oversight monitoring roles.

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