School-going girls in Kabarole District, Uganda, are calling for urgent interventions to address the high poverty rates and inability to pay school fees, which they claim are driving them into early marriages and teenage pregnancies. This issue has been highlighted just weeks after a global report from UNESCO raised concerns over the impact of early motherhood on vulnerable female learners across Sub-Saharan Africa. The girls argue that poverty is a significant barrier to their education.
In Kabarole District, high cases of teenage pregnancy have been reported in Kicwamba, Karangura, and Hakibale sub-counties. According to reports, parents are fueling child marriage rates by failing to report rape and defilement cases to authorities. Instead, families secretly negotiate financial settlements with the boys or men who impregnate their daughters. This has created a culture of silence and impunity, allowing the problem to persist.
The Kicwamba sub-county councilor, Francis Ahumuza Dauda, has announced a strict directive to address the issue. LC1 and LC2 have been mandated to take legal action against any parents found covering up marriages involving underage girls. This move aims to hold parents accountable and prevent further cases of child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
A student at Christ Aid SS in Kabarole district, Kakyo Meshel, acknowledges that several female learners from rural schools lack basic scholastic materials, sanitary pads, and school fees, leaving them exposed to sexual activities. The lack of resources and support is exacerbating the problem, making it difficult for girls to continue their education.
According to UNESCO's 2026 Gender report, fewer than 5% of pregnant learners in Africa ever manage to step back into the classroom after giving birth. This statistic highlights the long-term consequences of early motherhood on girls' education and future prospects. The report emphasizes the need for urgent action to address this issue.
The situation in Kabarole District is a microcosm of a broader problem affecting many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. The UNESCO report raised fresh concerns over how early motherhood is permanently sealing the fate of vulnerable female learners across the region. The report's findings underscore the need for governments and stakeholders to invest in education and support systems for girls.
To address the issue, stakeholders must work together to provide support systems for girls, including access to education, scholastic materials, and healthcare. The government, NGOs, and local leaders must collaborate to develop and implement effective strategies to prevent early marriages and teenage pregnancies. By doing so, they can help ensure that girls have the opportunity to complete their education and reach their full potential.
Key points
- Poverty and inability to pay school fees are driving girls into early marriages and teenage pregnancies in Kabarole District, Uganda.
