Banning pregnant girls from school is against the laws of Tanzania
President Magufuli’s remarks indicating his intention to stop girls from going to school is in contradiction of the laws and policies of his own country and his government’s failure to fulfil its obligation to protect and safeguard the rights of its citizens, especially the rights of its vulnerable citizens. ILLUSTRATION | JOHN NYANGA
Only a few days after the celebration of the Day of the African Child, the President of the Republic of Tanzania, John Magufuli, victimised teen mothers by swearing that during his presidency they would not be allowed to go back to school.
The president’s remarks were disheartening and a setback for the hard-fought gains on women and girls rights, gender equality and empowerment of women and girls achieved by women’s movements including the work done by African Women’s Development and Communication Network (Femnet) members in Tanzania.
