Zimbabwe has made it illegal for schools to expel pupils who get pregnant, a measure women's rights campaigners said would help tackle gender inequality in the classroom and stop many girls from dropping out of school.
Many parents of pregnant girls, or the girls themselves, decide to quit schooling due to the pregnancy, and schools do not always do enough to encourage them to stay, officials say.
"Every child whether boy or girl ... has a right to go to school in Zimbabwe," he said.
So, she has been traumatised and raped then she is further traumatised by being kicked out of school.".
Pregnancy is just one of the reasons that girls in Zimbabwe could fail to return to classes after coronavirus restrictions are lifted, said Sibusisiwe Ndlovu, communications specialist at Plan International Zimbabwe.
"This amendment is crucial in fulfilling the access to education right for all children - especially girls," Ndlovu said.
However, campaigners in the southern African country say girls will still need extra support to continue with their studies even if they keep attending classes while pregnant. »
