Despite national policies guaranteeing the right to education for all children, schools across Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya continue to subject girls to forced pregnancy tests and expel those found to be pregnant. These practices not only violate privacy and dignity but also contradict legal guarantees set by West Africa's highest court and international commitments to gender equality and girls’ education. Advocacy groups highlight how stigma and punitive measures further marginalize pregnant girls, pushing many into poverty or unsafe situations. While some governments have introduced reintegration programs, inconsistent implementation and cultural barriers persist, leaving thousands of girls without access to basic education and support.
Compiled from: Melissa Mbugua, “Kicked Out of School for Being Pregnant: Forcible Tests Violating Girls’ Rights in East Africa,” The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, April 10, 2025.