Sierra Leone allows pregnant girls to return to school

Sierra Leone’s government has overturned a decision barring pregnant girls from attending school, following a ruling by a top regional court in December last year.

The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education released a press statement on Monday saying that the decision was intended to encourage the “radical inclusion” and “comprehensive safety” of all children in the education system. 

The statement went on to say that education has been a longstanding priority of President Bio, who took office in 2018, and that the Free Quality School Education framework seeks to establish equitable opportunities for all children to learn and prosper. 

The decision has been heralded as a “victory for feminism” but may not come to much fruition as the president has announced a year-long state of emergency to combat the coronavirus, closing schools for all pupils. 

Chernor Bah, the co-founder of feminist movement-building hub Purposeful, said that nevertheless “the ban is now history” and that was the important thing. 

Photo: The Guardian