How two teen mothers escaped forced marriage to pursue education

After giving birth and dropping out of school in 2021, Beatrice*, 22, from Kamachumu village in Muleba District, nearly saw her dreams for a better future shattered when her parents planned to marry her off.

They viewed marriage as the only option, believing pregnancy marked the end of their daughter’s educational journey.

Her neighbour and close friend, Charity*, 20, faced a similar fate, dropping out of school in 2022 and fleeing home to avoid being forced into marriage against her wishes.

Despite the government’s efforts to reintegrate dropouts, the community's deep-seated beliefs pose a formidable barrier.

In November 2021, the government, through the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, announced ‘Education Circular No. 2 of 2021’, which allows school dropouts, including those who left school due to pregnancy, to re-enter the formal education system.

This progressive step sought to rectify a longstanding policy in Tanzania that previously prevented pregnant schoolgirls from continuing their education.

The circular was further supported by a guideline issued in February 2022, aiming to reinstate students who dropped out for various reasons. However, the implementation of this directive faced significant challenges.

A survey conducted by The Citizen in 2023 in Muleba District, Kagera Region, uncovered numerous obstacles, including societal tendencies to marry off young girls who get pregnant, often seeing marriage as the best option.

This is exactly what Beatrice and Charity’s parents intended: to marry off their daughters to remove ‘bad luck’ from their families.

While Beatrice dropped out of school a few months before she could sit for the Form Two National Assessment, Charity was in Form One when she got pregnant. They both have started from where they left, at their new school in Kisarawe, Coast Region.

An escape route

While her parents were busy arranging her marriage, they had no idea that God had better plans for Beatrice, now the mother of a three-year-old boy.

Her brother, Gabriel Ayubu, who lives in Kisarawe District, Coast Region, read an article in The Citizen highlighting the plight of girls, including his sister Beatrice, whose story had been featured in the newspaper.

Deeply moved, Ayubu decided to intervene. “After reading the article, I made a call home, even though I had initially told my sister to find a way to continue her education on her own or get married,” Ayubu recalls.

He urged Beatrice to come to Kisarawe to continue her education. “I sent her fare, thinking she was alone, but it turned out they were two – she and our neighbour’s daughter.”

"They both brought their children along and are now back in school, keeping the fact that they are mothers under wraps to avoid stigma," he explains.

No one at their new school (name withheld) has the slightest idea that the two girls are already mothers. Their children stay at home with a carer while they attend school.

The girls say that the transition was not easy. “Initially, my brother fully supported my parents' decision to marry me off,” Beatrice shares.

“I was surprised when he contacted me and told me to inform our parents that he was coming to visit, only for him to send me fare to come to Kisarawe.”

This act of rebellion against societal norms marked a turning point in Beatrice’s life.

Charity, who joined Beatrice on the journey to Kisarawe, shares a similar story. “We grew up together and went to the same school, and our dream was and still is to become lawyers. Unfortunately, we both got pregnant and dropped out of school,” Charity explains.

Beatrice and Charity blame their predicament on their naivety and now understand the importance of education. They are determined to prove that only the sky is the limit.

Their lives are now centred on their studies and their young children.

“We need to support our brother, who is like a Good Samaritan. My brother is not married, but he now has a big family, comprising us and our children,” Beatrice states.

“He has such a big heart. I am incredibly grateful to you for writing our story,” Beatrice tells me, holding up the issue of The Citizen newspaper that featured their story.

Cultural barriers

The challenges faced by Beatrice and Charity are not unique to Tanzania. Across the globe, teenage mothers struggle to continue their education due to cultural and societal pressures.

A report by HakiElimu on reintegrating teenage mothers into formal secondary schools in mainland Tanzania reveals that parents and community members often adhere to traditional viewpoints that cast teenage pregnancy in a negative light, treating it as a moral failing or social disgrace.

“In our community, girls are treated differently from boys. If a girl gets pregnant, parents see it as an opportunity to marry her off rather than allowing her to return to school,” one parent stated in the report.

These oppressive traditions inhibit girls' education and development, perpetuating cycles of poverty and a lack of rights. Beatrice’s brother, Ayubu, acknowledges this cultural barrier but is determined to break it.

“I don’t have a big income, but I have decided to help my younger siblings continue their education because, without this, the culture in our community will kill most of our youngsters’ dreams. Once they graduate, they will become great ambassadors for the community. That’s why the fact that they have children is a secret for now, but it will be a victory later,” he says.

Other countries have taken varied approaches to reintegrate teenage mothers into the education system.

In Malawi, a similar policy exists, but cultural challenges persist. Community sensitisation programmes are in place to educate parents and community leaders about the importance of girls’ education, even after pregnancy.

These programmes aim to shift cultural perceptions and create a supportive environment for young mothers to continue their studies.

Education experts stress the importance of community involvement in overcoming cultural obstacles. An education specialist, Dr Asha Kamugisha, emphasises the need for comprehensive community education.

“Changing cultural norms requires a collective effort. Community leaders, parents, and educators must work together to support the education of teenage mothers,” she says.

Dr Kamugisha also highlights the role of the government in enforcing policies and providing resources.

“Policies are essential, but adequate resources, including counselling, childcare, and financial support, must back them. The government must ensure that schools are equipped to handle the needs of teenage mothers,” she adds.

Beatrice and Charity’s journey is a testament to the resilience and determination of young girls fighting against societal norms to achieve their dreams. Their story also underscores the importance of supportive family members and community awareness in overcoming cultural barriers.

“I believe that with education, we can change our lives and our community’s perceptions,” Charity says with a hopeful smile. “We want to show that we can succeed and become role models for other girls in similar situations,” she adds.

The two young mothers’ story serves as an inspiration and a call to action for communities and governments to support all girls' education, regardless of their circumstances.

*Names have been changed.