Let Teen Mothers Resume School in Tanzania Sign the Petition
May 28, 2019
Story
On 22nd June 2017 while addressing the Bagamoyo District Residents in his 3 days tour to Coast Region in Tanzania President. John Pombe Magufuli of Tanzania made a statement to the public who gathered during where he mentioned that all pregnant school girls from primary schools to secondary schools should NOT continue their education at all once they fall pregnant hence no re-entry meaning an end to their education career.
''They are many things that girls who are impregnated can do after delivery , they can join VETA ( Vocational Educational Training Authority centres) , they can learn sewing but they cannot go back to school'' - said President J.P Magufuli
The President argued that if such girls were to be allowed back to school , then they would encourage other girls to engage in sex.
While in Tanzania Child Marriage is Legal where girls are allowed to get married at 14 years under parents consent and 15 years legally while boys are to marry at 18 years according to the Law of Marriage Act 1971 , There is a need for amendment of section 13 & 17 of the act to raise the age of marriage to 18 years for the girls and curb early pregnancy.
The Government of Tanzania needs to formulate a legal framework that would allow teenage mothers to resume schooling after giving birth however such a statement from the President propagates more discrimination without reconsidering that these girls (students ) need more sexual reproductive health education to be able to protect themselves from early pregnancies while in school.
Please join me to make a call for action and urge President John Pombe Magufuli of the United Republic of Tanzania to change this statement and #ProtectGirls #ArudiShude Sign the Petition!
This petition will be delivered to:
President of the United Republic of Tanzania
His Excellency John Pombe Magufuli
How to Get Involved
Sign the Petition below!