Burundi: African Union Shouldn't Tolerate Banning Pregnant Girls from School

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In June, Burundi joined a small group of African countries that ban pregnant girls from continuing with formal education in government schools. Burundi's Education Ministry banned the boys who get the girls pregnant as well as the girls themselves from going to public or private school.

Burundi's ban is contrary to the country's constitution and many domestic laws , and undermines the state's education goals . Indeed, Burundi's law against gender discrimination protects girls' right to go back to school and clarifies school officials' obligation to respect this right and protect teenage mothers from stigma and social exclusion. Burundi also has an international legal obligation to provide all children with an education, without discrimination.

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