Africa’s High Teenage Pregnancy Rate Demands Strong Response

Article: The AU Year of Education and the Challenges Faced by Young Mothers in Africa

The African Union (AU) has designated 2024 as the “AU Year of Education” to emphasize the importance of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 on education and the Continental Educational Strategy for Africa. These initiatives aim to ensure that education becomes accessible to all children and young people in Africa.

Challenges Faced by Young Mothers in Africa

Unfortunately, tens of thousands of African girls drop out of school each year, primarily due to pregnancy or having a young child. A study commissioned by the African Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child reveals that one in every five adolescent girls in Africa becomes pregnant before the age of 19.

These young mothers encounter significant barriers and lack support from schools during one of the most vulnerable periods of their lives. They are often denied access to essential sexual and reproductive health services, including antenatal and postnatal care, contraception, and abortion care. This not only affects the girls’ well-being but also hampers their children’s survival and development.

The Interlinkage between Education and Sexual Reproductive Health

The aforementioned study emphasizes the interconnection between young people’s educational progress and their access to comprehensive sexuality education and quality sexual and reproductive health interventions. Without swift action from governments to address high adolescent pregnancy rates and remove barriers preventing girls from attending school, many girls and future generations will continue to suffer.

Recommendations for the AU Year of Education

To effectively commemorate the AU Year of Education and advance their education commitments, AU member countries should prioritize the protection of girls’ right to education while also safeguarding adolescents’ sexual and reproductive rights. The AU should develop and adopt guidelines on protecting the rights of pregnant and parenting students, serving as a model of positive practice across the continent.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.
   • Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education.
   • Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
   • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
   • Target 4.5: By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and children in vulnerable situations.
   • Target 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy.
   • Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.

Analysis:

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 4: Quality Education. The article discusses the barriers faced by young mothers in Africa, who often drop out of school due to pregnancy or having a young child. This directly relates to Target 4.1, which aims to ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education. The article emphasizes the need for governments to take swift action to prevent high adolescent pregnancy rates and address barriers faced by girls in attending school, highlighting the importance of achieving Target 4.1.

The article also mentions the interlinkage between education and comprehensive sexuality education, as well as access to quality sexual and reproductive health interventions. This aligns with Target 4.7, which aims to ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including education for sustainable development, human rights, and gender equality.

There are no specific indicators mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, indicators such as the percentage of girls completing primary and secondary education, the availability of comprehensive sexuality education in schools, and the accessibility of sexual and reproductive health services could be relevant indicators to track progress towards achieving the targets.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: hrw.org

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