We need to help teen moms, not punish them

A 2021 report from the Zero Dropout Campaign explains that pregnancy can interfere with a teenage girl’s education even before the baby is born. Young women are more likely to miss school during the pregnancy, as they have to take time off both before and after giving birth and also need to go for regular clinic check-ups. 

The more times a learner misses school, the harder it becomes to continue studying and catch up. A 2012 study from Cape Town found that teen moms were likely to lag behind their non-pregnant peers by more than half a year.

Read the full story on Bhekisisa.