In the Democratic Republic of Congo, pregnant girls now have the right to continue their education. A circular issued by the Ministry of National Education now prohibits any exclusion based on pregnancy. This measure seeks to correct a long-standing inequality between boys and girls.
In Goma, how do parents and students view the new measure?
Rita Nabugorhe was 16 when she became pregnant. She recalls the heavy stares and being forced to leave school.
But years later, she returned to her studies and now works for an international organization. “I was ashamed at first,” she recalls. “Many people mocked me. But I had support from my mother, my father, and my older brothers who always stood by me. I regained my courage… Today, I’ve completed my education, and I’m proud. If this policy had existed before, I wouldn’t have lost so much time.”
A Measure for Greater Equality
Among parents, the decision has sparked much reaction. For some, like Jorame Muhesi and Aspirine Espoir, it comes as a relief. “Many young girls get pregnant by accident, but they are still human beings and have rights. This decision is a good thing. The right to education is the most legitimate right for all children, girls and boys,” they say. “When school principals decided to expel a girl because she was pregnant while letting the boy continue, that was a serious violation of this right. We are very pleased to see that the authorities have finally lifted that rule.”
But Antigone Tegera, another parent, is less enthusiastic and calls for stricter implementation of the measure:
“As a parent, I don’t think this is the right way to promote inclusive education and gender equality in schools, especially for young girls. Some students used to be afraid of getting pregnant because they knew it could lead to expulsion. Now that a decision allows them to remain in class even when pregnant, we might see all kinds of things happening in schools.”
Unsafe Abortions
As for the students, most understand the situation and advocate for mutual support. Clarice Binja explains:
“Getting pregnant while still a student is not something to encourage. But rejecting her, expelling her from school as if she no longer had a future—I don’t think that helps. In the past, this kind of treatment pushed some girls to get abortions, sometimes in dangerous conditions. If a classmate got pregnant, I would want to support her and encourage her to continue. She shouldn’t give up her future because of a mistake. As long as she wants to study and respects school requirements, there’s no reason to exclude her.”
The Ministry’s circular clearly states that no sanction or expulsion will be tolerated on the grounds of pregnancy. The directive takes immediate effect and must be disseminated in all schools across the country.
L’africaine
Leave a Reply