FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WGNRR AFRICA STATEMENT ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF TANZANIA TO LIFT THE FORMAL EDUCATION BAN ON PREGNANT GIRLS AND YOUNG MOTHERS

Dar-es-salaam, November 24, 2021 – The Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights Africa (WGNRR AFRICA) and partner organizations working on adolescents sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa, welcome the Government of Tanzania’s announcement to remove barriers to access to education, including those that have prevented pregnant girls or young mothers from attending formal school. The Government of Tanzania officially enforced a ban on pregnant girls and young mothers from attending regular school and punishes teachers who don’t honor the ban. The ban is rooted in a policy from the 1960s and was reaffirmed in 2017 by  President John Magufuli. Under this measure, schoolgirls are often subjected to mandatory pregnancy tests. 

This announcement to lift the ban is an important decision in achieving the country’s commitment to support more than 120,000 girls who drop out of school every year,  out of whom 6,500 because they are pregnant or have children. This move will improve girls’ chances to receive better education.

WGNRR Africa and partners strongly support not only the policies that encourage girls’ education, but also their full implementation to make it possible FOR ALL STUDENTS to stay in school and realize their potential. We look forward to the issuance of the guidelines with an accountability framework in place to ensure that no more pregnant girls and young mothers are shamed, stigmatized and are not allowed to continue their education.

Access to education is a human right. Ensuring access to education that promotes equality, free from discrimination, and nurtures empowerment of women and girls is critical in advancing Tanzania’s social and economic development.

WGNRR Africa and Partners

For media inquiries, please contact:

NONDO EJANO, (nondo@wgnrr.org)

MATILDA DEUS  (matilda@wgnrr.org)