Lack of positive protection hurts girls, communities

The rights body made this observation in its recently launched report on the protection and guaranteeing of pregnant girls and adolescent rights to education on the continent. This index presents a comprehensive overview of the various laws, policies, and practices across the African Union.

Laws and policies change or are updated periodically.

"We intend to update this resource, and the interactive maps, periodically to reflect such changes. The lack of positive protections hurts girls, and their communities, and hinders progress toward achieving national and shared AU-wide goals.” The report added.

Human Rights Watch has reviewed over 100 official laws and policies relating to education, gender equity strategies, reproductive health plans, and various policies or directives from ministries of education across all African Union member states to understand how African governments protect or hinder access to education for pregnant students and adolescent mothers.