310 out of every 1 000 live births has Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the Western Cape. Globally, the rate of FASD is eight out of every 1 000 live births.
FASD is caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy, even
small amounts cause harm. Its effects are lifelong, impacting a child’s brain
development, learning ability, behaviour, and health. When combined with
teenage binge drinking it creates a cycle of harm that passes from one
generation to the next.
The theme for 2025 is: ''Everyone Plays A Part: Take Action'', which is the same as the 2024 theme, but in 2025, the addition of “Take Action!” is meant to spark real, meaningful steps toward progress. Each of us has a role to play in creating a society that supports individuals with FASD and promotes healthy pregnancies. Small actions lead to big change – whether it’s taking a training session, raising awareness in your community, or having important conversations with loved ones about alcohol-free pregnancies. When we all take action, we build a more inclusive, informed, and supportive society.
The Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR) aims to raise awareness, prevention, conducting research, training, and community empowerment about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in vulnerable communities within South Africa.
‘’FARR works on invitation in communities only, and when we
start working in a community, we do a prevalence study. That's examining a
chunk of the community and we use international criteria, so that is always the
grade one learners. We examine all of them to just assess to see who has got a
fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and then any other conditions, because we have
got various professionals working with us. And then afterwards, we start
working with people in the community because if we now diagnose a child with FASD,
there's a risk of stigmatising mom, blaming mom, you in the community and also if
I've got if people will look at my siblings and say, what's the chances of them
having it? So especially in areas where we've got this very, very high
prevalence rate, you don't want to stigmatise the community so that children
there might not be able to get bursaries, etc.,’’ said Dr. Leana Olivier, CEO of the FARR.
‘’But what is interesting is that we recently did a study in a research study in a community that we've been working on for a while now. for example, in America, FASD is highly stigmatized, and there are a lot of research papers have been published on that. So we expected the same in this community, but we were very surprised to see that it was not the case. And the reason for that is because the community grasped this message of your child is also my child. So my responsibility when you're pregnant to help you not to drink during pregnant. This is what we are aiming in FARR, to get this community responsibility, this cohesion, and this realization,’’ she added.
Each year, since 1999, on the 9th day of the 9th month at 9 minutes past 9, bells are rung across the world to raise awareness about FASD, and the irreversible damage to unborn children caused by the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy.
‘’This initiative started off in 1999 where a group of
parents in New Zealand and Canada got together online and said they're
desperate. and then they decided that they're going to lobby for international
FASD Awareness Day. Now internationally, September is becoming the awareness
month. So what we do, and this is a program internationally, is for small
groups of people and listeners that can be you. You can get together as a group of family or in
your office or just friends or whatever at 09:00 in the morning of the
September 9. Share the message that no alcohol is safe anytime during
pregnancy, and those people who are pregnant, it is never too late to stop
because you immediately stop any potential damage that can still be done. So
this discussion should not last longer than eight minutes, because eight
minutes past nine, a minute of silence just thinking of maybe people in our
family or circle of friends that we think might have FASD or have been
diagnosed already, what we can do to, give support to them and their caregivers
and their parents and then nine minutes past nine, we break the silence by
ringing bells and there's church bells are being rung. So breaking the silence
and starting to talk about this -share the message, and this is how we can all
get involved.
‘’And then to the men out there, please be the very brave
and supportive partner. You certainly also want a child who's born without FASD
and the role of the men in our programs, we see this until as they stop drinking
because of the support they receive from their partners.’’
A main risk factor for unplanned pregnancy is alcohol and
drug use. Research indicates that not all young people are equally vulnerable
to substance abuse, but rather the combination of risk factors coupled with a
lack of protection against substance abuse that will determine how susceptible
youths are to experiment and ultimately becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol.
‘’In our research and in our work that we do see that
children as young as eight and nine years of age using alcohol, abusing it to
the point that that they become intoxicated, and then also the abuse of young
girls and, of course, young boys also, but we're talking about teenage pregnancy
here specifically, of, by older men and giving them alcohol, exploiting them,
or engaging in what they it's quite often say consensual sexual relationships. So
teenage pregnancy and alcohol are closely linked So in our programs, we give them knowledge and, try to give them
appropriate skills to also make better informed decisions about their sexual
health and how to protect themselves.’’
The City of Cape Town MMC for Community Services &
Health, Francine Higham, reminded the public that FASD requires a whole of
society approach.
‘’ 'No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy
and while we speak often of the need to stop drinking during pregnancy and
while breastfeeding, in some instances, it is easier said than done. Our City
Health clinics and substance abuse treatment sites are there to help. I
encourage mothers to be to enrol for Basic Antenatal Care at their local clinic
as soon as possible. If, for whatever reason, you are struggling with alcohol
or other substances, our Matix programme offers outpatient assistance and
support to women, but also their families.’’
‘’ 'While the responsibility starts with pregnant
women, we all have a role to play in supporting them and their unborn babies.
As a first step, it is critical that everyone understands that no amount of
alcohol is acceptable or safe during pregnancy – FASD is 100% incurable, but
100% preventable,’’ added Higham.
When a pregnant woman drinks, it is not just her health at
stake, it is the child’s entire future.
Done By: Mitchum George
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