​Teenage pregnancy is still a major problem in South Africa regardless of the statutory provisions forbidding discrimination in schools based on pregnancy and the implementation of intervention strategies to reduce teenage pregnancy. 
Girls and young women are more vulnerable and face many overlapping challenges in society: increased vulnerability for STIs, HIV/AIDS infections and gender-based violence, rape and exploitation by older men, gender inequality, and power imbalances in relationships suggesting a strong link between teenage pregnancy and GBV. 

Teenage pregnancy occurs most often in poorer and marginalised communities where girls have inadequate access to good, adolescent-friendly health and social services. 

Many learners who become pregnant and drop out of school are forced to abandon their education and end up with inadequate skills and opportunities for employment. 

Pregnant girls are far more likely not to return to school as they are the main caregivers to their children. Poverty and lack of financial support from the father of the child or the teen's family result in greater reliance on social protection and support from the state. 

What do we do about it? A holistic, streamlined, and co-ordinated approach is required to end teenage pregnancy. Addressing this challenge cannot be done by one department, working together towards achieving a common goal is half of the battle won. All stakeholders must know and understand their responsibilities and those of one another. Community mobilisation, active involvement and support of local, provincial, and national stakeholders/partners and the learners themselves is key to the successful reduction of teen pregnancies. 

Seeking out integrative solutions, strengthening support and raising awareness can yield positive results. What is needed is a shared vision, clear definition of roles, joint responsibility and accountability, planning and decision making, problem-solving, complementary skills, team work and communication. 

More can be done to prevent and manage teenage pregnancy in schools and the community. Strong referral networks to support learners and their families, targeted interventions to affected pregnant learners, continuous campaigns, improved programmes, and reviewed policies are integral in changing this negative narrative.