Bathabile Dlamini says deaths due to botched abortions have dropped by 91% since the choice of termination of pregnancy law was passed almost 20 years ago. (SABC)
Social development Minister Bathabile Dlamini says the Child Support Grant will be expanded to include young people aged 19 to 23 years.
She was speaking in Boksburg at a conference celebrating 20 years of advancing access to safe abortion in South Africa.
Dlamini says once they turn 18, young adults are left to fend for themselves. Government is planning to support those who are committed to furthering their studies.
“In 2015/2016 financial year we are going to be looking into the issue of children up until the age of 18. Secondly we want to look into the issue of foster children between the ages of 19 and 23 and many other children who are grant recipients but their parents are unemployed. We want to come up with a comprehensive programme to ensure that children don't get disturbed up until they are 23.”
She says deaths due to botched abortions have dropped by 91% since the choice of termination of pregnancy law was passed almost 20 years ago.
She says government is however concerned about the high number of women who still use backstreet abortions clinics.
“As the statistics indicate, in South Africa we have reduced mortality and injuries related to unsafe abortion, but we have some serious issues that we need to address in relation to abortion. One much as abortion is legalised in SA, there are women who are still using illegal abortion clinics and that in itself is a challenge.”
She was speaking in Boksburg at a conference celebrating 20 years of advancing access to safe abortion in South Africa.
Dlamini says once they turn 18, young adults are left to fend for themselves. Government is planning to support those who are committed to furthering their studies.
“In 2015/2016 financial year we are going to be looking into the issue of children up until the age of 18. Secondly we want to look into the issue of foster children between the ages of 19 and 23 and many other children who are grant recipients but their parents are unemployed. We want to come up with a comprehensive programme to ensure that children don't get disturbed up until they are 23.”
She says deaths due to botched abortions have dropped by 91% since the choice of termination of pregnancy law was passed almost 20 years ago.
She says government is however concerned about the high number of women who still use backstreet abortions clinics.
“As the statistics indicate, in South Africa we have reduced mortality and injuries related to unsafe abortion, but we have some serious issues that we need to address in relation to abortion. One much as abortion is legalised in SA, there are women who are still using illegal abortion clinics and that in itself is a challenge.”
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