mothers2mothers (m2m) is joining forces with UNICEF South Africa to improve the health and well-being of thousands of adolescent girls and young women (AGYWs) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the Eastern Cape. In South Africa, AGYWs face disproportionate health risks, particularly in relation to HIV and teenage pregnancy. Stigma, poor service delivery, and a lack of information can turn a simple clinic visit into a stressful and intimidating experience.

A 2023 UNICEF report highlighted that 9 out of 10 new HIV infections among adolescents aged 15–19 in sub-Saharan Africa occurred in girls. In the 2022/2023 period, South Africa recorded 150,000 pregnancies among girls aged 10–19, with one in three not returning to school—a trend that not only disrupts education but also increases young women’s vulnerability to poor health outcomes. These statistics highlight the urgent need for integrated, youth-focused health and education interventions.

To address these pressing challenges, m2m is training 42 Young Mentor Mothers in KZN—all local young women aged 20–24 who are living with HIV—to support their peers through some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives. Building on the urgent need for youth-centred solutions, these Mentor Mothers are being equipped with the knowledge and tools to provide guidance on sexual and reproductive health, family planning, HIV prevention and treatment, mental health, nutrition, and how to respond to gender-based violence.

What makes this approach powerful is that it’s peer-led and adolescent-friendly—creating spaces where girls feel seen, heard, and safe. Places where they can talk freely, get the help they need, and start to dream again.

In the Eastern Cape, 21 more Young Mentor Mothers will be placed by the provincial Department of Health in communities and health facilities. m2m will be providing specialised training and will support health system strengthening efforts.

This new phase of work builds on an earlier partnership between m2m and UNICEF SA (2019–2022), which reached just over 39,000 adolescent girls and young women in Gauteng and KZN. That programme didn’t just meet expectations—it exceeded them, achieving 97% HIV testing rates and linking 95% of those diagnosed to lifesaving treatment.

In the months ahead, the new programme in KZN will expand further—introducing young mum clubs, postnatal support circles, and stronger partnerships between clinics and communities. The goal is not just to respond to a crisis—but to build a system that supports girls to thrive in the long run.

At the heart of this partnership is a shared belief: every girl deserves the chance to grow up safe, healthy, and with hope for the future. Together, m2m and UNICEF South Africa are helping make that future possible. Sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date on the progress of this partnership!