Breaking Barriers: Supporting Pregnant Students and Young Mothers in Mozambique 🎓🤱

In Mozambique, many pregnant or parenting adolescent girls face overwhelming barriers to continuing their education. Discrimination, stigma, and inadequate school support force thousands of young mothers to drop out each year. For those already struggling with poverty, the absence of free education makes staying in school even harder.

The Reality of School Dropouts 🚫

Pregnant students often encounter prejudice from teachers and peers, making it difficult to balance schoolwork with childcare. Instead of receiving support, many are stigmatized, discouraged, or redirected into night-shift classes—a practice rooted in discriminatory policies that linger even after official bans.

In 2003, the government issued an order requiring pregnant girls and young mothers to transfer to evening classes. Though this policy was rescinded in 2018, its effects remain. Many educators still encourage transfers, citing stigma or unclear guidance. Others, however, do work to support young mothers in staying enrolled.

Key Findings from Human Rights Watch 📑

A recent 52-page report, “‘Girls Shouldn’t Give Up On Their Studies’: Pregnant Girls’ and Adolescent Mothers’ Struggle to Stay in School in Mozambique”, highlights:

• Lack of comprehensive sexuality education in schools
• Limited access to adolescent-friendly reproductive health services
• Financial barriers such as tuition and transport costs
• Widespread stigma and discriminatory attitudes among educators

Elin Martinez, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, stressed that the burden of balancing school and childcare—combined with systemic discrimination—forces many girls to abandon their studies prematurely.

The Bigger Picture 📊

The statistics are alarming:

• Mozambique ranks 5th globally in child marriage prevalence.
• It has the highest adolescent pregnancy rate in East and Southern Africa: 180 births per 1,000 girls (ages 15–19) in 2023.
• About 1 in 10 girls gives birth before age 15.
• In 2019, 70% of pregnant girls dropped out of school.
• By 2022, only 41% of girls completed lower secondary education, while just 4% completed upper secondary education.

A Path Forward 🌍

To protect girls’ right to education, Mozambique must go beyond policy promises:

• Enact legally binding regulations to safeguard education for pregnant and parenting students.
• Provide accessible childcare services and early childhood education to ease the burden.
• Expand comprehensive sexuality education and adolescent-friendly reproductive health services.
• Address financial barriers by ensuring free education and reducing hidden costs.

Mozambique can also draw lessons from other African nations that have successfully implemented inclusive policies for pregnant students. Importantly, consulting with adolescent girls themselves ensures that solutions are practical and respectful of their realities.

Conclusion ✨

Education is not just a personal right but a societal investment. When pregnant students and young mothers are supported, they gain the tools to break cycles of poverty and inequality. By prioritizing empathy, inclusion, and concrete reforms, Mozambique can empower its girls to pursue their education—without having to choose between motherhood and a future.