Teenage pregnancy is a complex social issue often caused by human rights violations such as gender-based violence against girls, child marriage, lack of access to sexual and reproductive health services, and lack of access to education. Often these violations happen to the most marginalised girls, particularly girls with disabilities, girls living in poverty, and girls living in rural areas. Pregnant girls and adolescent mothers face barriers in returning to school, due to stigmatisation, unaffordable school fees, and lack of childcare services; and what they need now to get back to school. This indicator assesses if they have access to childcare services while continuing their education.
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Women, Article 10, General comment No. 36 (paras. 24.g, 31.d and 39.a) and General comment No. 34 (para. 43.g); Joint General Comment of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) on ending child marriage (para. 59).
Specific references :
Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Women, General Comment No. 36 (para. 24.g) and General Comment No. 34 (para. 43.g) recommends States to review and/or abolish laws and policies that allow the expulsion of pregnant girls and teachers and ensure that there are no restrictions on their return following childbirth. Further, it recommends providing them with childcare facilities and breastfeeding rooms.
Note that laws / legislative provisions will be more protective than policies. For more information see our webpage ‘What information to look at’ and chapter 6 of the RTE / UNESCO Right to Education handbook.