Joint Press Conference to address issues of escalating cases of Teenage Pregnancy and the right of pregnant girls to return to school
“All head teachers, I want to tell you that we shall not allow pregnant or breastfeeding girls in class. When all girls turn up, carry out the usual medical examination so that those found pregnant can go back and give birth they will come back after giving birth,” Bishop James Ssebagala of Mukono Diocese.
Uganda recorded a total of 290,219 teenage pregnancies from January to September 2021, translating to over 32,000 monthly (UNFPA UGANDA 2021) and this been highly attributed to the covid-19 induced lockdown where learners were out of school for close to 2 years. Many girls were sexually abused by their relatives, neighbors, teachers and their peers and in some communities; pregnancy was seen as a way out of poverty.
On 10th January 2022, Government of Uganda officially reopened schools for all learners and the right of pregnant and breastfeeding girls to continue with their education evoked emotionally charged discussions across the country in the last few weeks, the discussions are often on issues of morality.
“Imagine someone saying even breastfeeding ones should be allowed to attend class. No, this we shall not accept because our schools were started not only to impart knowledge but also discipline children. How can a teacher be teaching when a girl is giving breasts to her child”? The bishop said.
Religious leaders argue that pregnancy out of wedlock is morally wrong, that other children at school will perceive it as being okay which contradicts with religious teachings about sex before marriage but all girls have a right to education irrespective of their race, color, physical ability, motherhood status or pregnancy.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 is clear, to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning for all including elimination of gender disparities, all girls and boys to have equal opportunity, to enjoy education of high quality and enjoy equal benefits from education. Adolescent girls and young women who may be subject to gender based violence; child marriage and early pregnancy require special attention.
Discriminating girls because they are pregnant or breastfeeding is wrong, it is a violation of girls’ rights to education and it is mostly caused by many factors including lack of awareness about re-entry policies in the country and among head teachers that girls can resume school. Even when some girls get lucky to return to school, they are often affected by stigma from their peers and the community, financial constraints and lack of psycho-social support.
State Minister for higher Education, John Chrysostom Muyingo, said it is a government directive that all children should go back to school whether pregnant or breastfeeding but what is not yet clear is how schools are going to implement the directive, while at school for instance whether to provide breast feeding rooms for breastfeeding girls or not.
At Joy for Children-Uganda we advocate for children’s rights including the right to free and quality education for all, We have partnered with Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development Ministry of education and Sports, Parliament of Uganda on several interventions on upholding the rights and safety of the girls including developing the National Strategy to End Child Marriage in Uganda, running a campaign to accelerate progress to end child marriage in Uganda at the height of covid19 pandemic, Enhancing coordination and Learning to end child marriage and teenage pregnancy, supporting the MPs to table a motion in parliament that would among others provide for pregnant / breastfeeding girls to continue their education. From experience we believe regular and effective coordination and capacity enhancement enable actors or partners to further learn with one another and enhance their advocacy efforts.
On1st February, Uganda Women Parliamentary Association(UWOPA) organized a joint press conference with members of the civil society to address issues of escalating cases of teenage pregnancy and the right of pregnant and breast feeding teen mothers return to school. The call was on government to keep its promise of ensuring girls return to school and is safe while there. Mr. Moses Ntenga Executive Director at Joy for Children-Uganda said “Awareness should first be created in communities and encourage people including relatives to raise alarm once they suspect anything fishy happening in their societies
Recommendations to schools and government on re-entry of pregnant and breastfeeding young mothers
· Government should provide school –based counseling services for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. This is because some of the girls are faced with stigma and they need psychosocial support so that they feel safe at school.
· Renew the National Strategy to end child marriage and teenage pregnancy, which reflects the commitment of the government of Uganda to end child marriage and other forms of violence against girls including teenage pregnancy.
· Ensure access to sexual and reproductive health services including comprehensive sexuality education in schools and communities.
· Adopt the national school health policy to ensure that learners feel safe and protected while at school.
· Introduce flexible school programs for breastfeeding girls for insistence part-time classes.
· Sensitize parents, children, teachers and communities about the consequences of early pregnancies including physical and psychological harm, stressing the importance of girls continuing with education.
· Formation of school clubs and programs that target girls at risk of dropping out and put measures for counseling, distribution of scholastic materials and menstrual hygiene kits in schools.
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