UNESCO Report Highlights Urgent Need for Educational and Health Support for Young Mothers in Eastern and Southern Africa
In sub-Saharan Africa, over six million pregnant and parenting girls (aged 10–19) are out of school. Dropping out increases the likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behavior, acquiring HIV and other STIs, and becoming pregnant again
Courtesy UNESCO
According to UNESCO, only a quarter of the 282 million young people aged between 10 and 24 years in Eastern and Southern Africa will complete upper secondary school by the year 2050. Additionally, a quarter of young women aged 20-24 give birth before their 18th birthday. The region faces approximately 21.6 million unintended pregnancies annually.
This information was highlighted in a joint statement by Etleva Kadilli, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa; Nisha, UNESCO Regional Director for Southern Africa; and Alexandros K. Makarigakis, UNESCO Regional Director for East Africa, on supporting the education and health of young mothers in Africa. The consequences of adolescent pregnancy are profound, with maternal conditions being the leading cause of death among adolescent girls aged 15-19 years globally. Infants born to adolescent mothers are at a higher risk of stillbirth.
Eastern and Southern Africa is also the epicenter of the HIV crisis, with 76% of new infections among young people aged 15-24 years occurring in girls. Young mothers living with HIV experience higher mental health burdens and are less likely to adhere to treatment essential for their health and preventing HIV transmission to their babies.
Efforts are being made to prevent unintended pregnancies and HIV transmission among young people, and to provide them with knowledge and agency regarding their sexual and reproductive health and rights. UNESCO found that among girls who drop out of school due to pregnancy, less than 5% return, indicating that early pregnancy often marks the end of their education.
In sub-Saharan Africa, over six million pregnant and parenting girls (aged 10–19) are out of school. Dropping out increases the likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behavior, acquiring HIV and other STIs, and becoming pregnant again. Despite these challenges, significant potential exists for transformational change. Every additional year a girl stays in school can increase her future income by 10%, and a child of a mother who can read is 50% more likely to live past the age of five.
Education is a powerful tool for adolescent girls, but school environments often lack safety and support. Discrimination and stigma drive many adolescent mothers to leave school. Many countries do not have laws or policies protecting pregnant girls’ right to education. Supportive parents, flexible teachers, discrimination-free learning environments, non-judgmental communities, and accountable governments are crucial for adolescent mothers to thrive.
Programs supported by UNICEF and UNESCO, such as the joint UN 2gether 4 SRHR programme, are showing strong results in increasing HIV testing and treatment, reducing transmission rates, and addressing post-natal depression. The Our Rights Our Lives Our Future Programme by UNESCO empowers young people with age-appropriate sexuality education to protect themselves from early pregnancy and HIV.
Young mothers are leading change across the continent, supporting each other in education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Governments are implementing evidence-based peer provider programmes, which will be showcased at the first AU Pan-African Conference on Girls and Women’s Education.
Investing in young people’s education, health, and wellbeing is essential. Africa’s rapidly growing youth population presents an opportunity to address inequality and foster progress. Fifty million more girls are in school today than in 2015, demonstrating that progress is possible.
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