Pregnant and parenting teens in Mozambique drop out of school due to insufficient support

Despite the Mozambican government's revocation of “discriminatory” measures against adolescent mothers five years ago, pregnant and parenting girls continue to face challenges due to social stigma and the lack of governmental support.

A report by Human Rights Watch, based on 66 interviews, highlighted the prevalence of gender-based violence, poverty, and discrimination against Mozambican young women aged between 15 and 19. Mozambique ranks fifth globally in terms of child marriage rates and has the highest rate of adolescent pregnancy in East and Southern Africa, with 180 out of 1,000 females giving birth in 2023.

The report noted that pregnant and parenting students often encounter a lack of support, encouragement, and accommodations at the school level, making it difficult for them to balance schooling and childcare responsibilities.

In 2003, a governmental order mandated the transfer of pregnant and parenting students from daytime schools to evening schools, further exacerbating stigma and discrimination. Despite the government's revocation of this measure, some teachers and educational officials continue to discriminate against these students.

The report included testimonies from affected students, such as Laura, 19, who faced resistance from the school principal when she became pregnant in 2022. On the other hand, her friend Adosinda, who also got pregnant in 2022, was forced to switch to the night school due to complaints from other students and lack of support from the parents' association.

Despite USAID's assertion that Mozambique's educational system is inclusive, enrollment and attendance rates for girls remain low. More than 50% of Mozambican girls drop out of school by the fifth grade, and only 1% attend college. Additionally, illiteracy rates for women are double those of men.