Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    Authorities and civil society in greater jonglei identify key security threats, ponder solutions

    January 27, 2023

    Ghana reaches deal with insurers on domestic debt exchange

    January 27, 2023

    Africa should complement FDI with intra-regional to boost intra-continental trade: Ghanaian official

    January 27, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    • Home
    • About Us
      • Profile
      • The Team
      • Advertise
      • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Regions
      • Ghana
      • Nigeria
      • Kenya
      • South Africa
      • Europe
      • United Kingdom
      • USA (North America)
    Trending
    • Authorities and civil society in greater jonglei identify key security threats, ponder solutions
    • Ghana reaches deal with insurers on domestic debt exchange
    • Africa should complement FDI with intra-regional to boost intra-continental trade: Ghanaian official
    • With new deep sea port, Nigeria’s focus turns to better road, rail connections
    • Somalia welcomes killing of IS leader
    • Towards free market: Africa’s ‘prosperity dialogue’ confronts many barriers
    • France to recall Burkina ambassador over tensions, as troops prepare to leave
    • US blocks entry to those ‘undermining’ Nigerian democracy
    0 Shopping Cart
    Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn
    Africa BriefingAfrica Briefing
    Resources
    Support Us
    • News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Energy
    • Technology
    • CryptoTech
      • Crypto News
      • Startups & Companies
      • Crypto Currencies
      • DeFi
      • Metaverse
      • NFTs
    • More
      • Videos
      • Opinion
    • Magazine
    Home » West African court voids Sierra Leone’s ban on pregnant schoolgirls
    Featured

    West African court voids Sierra Leone’s ban on pregnant schoolgirls

    Editorial StaffBy Editorial StaffDecember 13, 2019No Comments0 Views
    Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Telegram
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Telegram WhatsApp

    WEST Africa’s top court on Thursday ordered Sierra Leone to revoke a ban on pregnant girls in school, a move activists hope could lead to challenges against similar laws across Africa.

    The continent has the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in the world, and 18 African countries require pregnant girls to drop out of school.

    Sierra Leone’s ban was adopted in 2015 as teenage pregnancies rose during an Ebola epidemic. Critics say it has increased stigma for pregnant girls and sent thousands back in their studies.

    The government has argued that allowing pregnant girls to attend school would tire them out, expose them to ridicule and encourage others to get pregnant.

    Sierra Leone’s education minister David Senghe declined to comment on whether the government would respect the ruling. Previous Sierra Leonean governments have ignored decisions by the ECOWAS court.

    The government has created part-time centres where pregnant girls could study but the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) court in Nigeria ruled that this was not sufficient.

    ‘The Court holds that the establishment of separate schools for pregnant girls with four taught subjects operating three days a week is discriminatory and a violation of the right to equal education,’ the ruling stated.

    ‘This is a great victory and will set a strong precedent across Africa,’ said Judy Gitau, the head of women’s rights group Equality Now, which brought the case. ‘We’re confident (the government) will make a decision to lift the ban.’

    Patience Aminata, who was kicked out of school three years ago at the age of 17, said she hoped to return.

    ‘If a girl gets pregnant, she has every right to further her education because it leads to success, not just for her, but for her whole family,’ she said. ‘This ruling means it’s not too late for me either.’

     

    Share. Facebook Twitter Telegram WhatsApp

    Related Posts

    Authorities and civil society in greater jonglei identify key security threats, ponder solutions

    January 27, 2023

    Progress in Darfur militia leader trial, but Government cooperation wanes

    January 26, 2023

    Mali: WHO doctor seized by ‘unidentified assailants’, as UNHCR raises alarm over continuing violence

    January 25, 2023
    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    Top Posts

    Op-Ed: Qatar World Cup 2022 – prejudice, coordinated attacks and Western grandstanding

    November 4, 20222,401

    Sex tourism: The Gambia is fed up with UK grandmothers hunting for toy boys

    September 19, 20222,266

    Ghanaian architect of UK’s Black History Month honoured by prestigious British university

    December 12, 20221,195

    Nigerian appointed director of UN disarmament

    October 25, 20221,019
    Don't Miss
    News

    Authorities and civil society in greater jonglei identify key security threats, ponder solutions

    By Editorial StaffJanuary 27, 202310

    Participants at an UNMISS workshop in Bor discussed how to improve the protection of civilians…

    Ghana reaches deal with insurers on domestic debt exchange

    January 27, 2023

    Africa should complement FDI with intra-regional to boost intra-continental trade: Ghanaian official

    January 27, 2023

    With new deep sea port, Nigeria’s focus turns to better road, rail connections

    January 27, 2023
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • LinkedIn
    About Us
    About Us

    AfricaBriefing is a monthly magazine designed to provide news and information on Africa to Africans at home and abroad, and the wider global audience that has a committed interest in the continent’s political, economic and social developments.

    Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn
    Our Picks

    Authorities and civil society in greater jonglei identify key security threats, ponder solutions

    January 27, 2023

    Ghana reaches deal with insurers on domestic debt exchange

    January 27, 2023

    Africa should complement FDI with intra-regional to boost intra-continental trade: Ghanaian official

    January 27, 2023
    Most Popular

    Op-Ed: Qatar World Cup 2022 – prejudice, coordinated attacks and Western grandstanding

    November 4, 20222,401

    Sex tourism: The Gambia is fed up with UK grandmothers hunting for toy boys

    September 19, 20222,266

    Ghanaian architect of UK’s Black History Month honoured by prestigious British university

    December 12, 20221,195
    © 2023 AfricaBriefing. Designed by KMG.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT