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Implications of teenage pregnancy and motherhood for girls’ educational opportunities - A case study in Kamakwie, Sierra Leone

Björkdahl, Caroline LU (2018) UTVK03 20181
Sociology
Abstract
Sierra Leone struggles with one of the world’s highest rates of teenage pregnancy.
Reducing the rate of teenage pregnancy and ensuring access to education for all are key to
achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls. This is not only a top priority for
the government but also an essential part of ensuring the human rights of the population and
achieving inclusive development, as recognised in the international development agenda. Yet,
thousands of Sierra Leonean girls are denied the right to education because they are not allowed
in school if they get pregnant. This discriminatory practice was formalised through a policy
declaration in 2015. Research that pays attention to connections between teenage pregnancy,
... (More)
Sierra Leone struggles with one of the world’s highest rates of teenage pregnancy.
Reducing the rate of teenage pregnancy and ensuring access to education for all are key to
achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls. This is not only a top priority for
the government but also an essential part of ensuring the human rights of the population and
achieving inclusive development, as recognised in the international development agenda. Yet,
thousands of Sierra Leonean girls are denied the right to education because they are not allowed
in school if they get pregnant. This discriminatory practice was formalised through a policy
declaration in 2015. Research that pays attention to connections between teenage pregnancy,
education and empowerment commonly focus on education as a tool to prevent early pregnancy
and keep girls in school. The objective of this thesis is thus to shed light on the situation for
out-of-school pregnant teenagers and young mothers in Kamakwie, Sierra Leone. Data was
collected through interviews with 16 young girls and complemented with key informant
interviews and a focus group discussion. Their narratives were analysed in relation to theories
of empowerment and inclusive development. The analysis centres around challenges the girls
encounter to return to school and make strategic life choices, and whether education for them
has potential for empowerment. Findings of the study indicate that the major barriers to girls’
education are economic and social, rather than legal, and it appears that the government policy
has not had any substantial impact in Kamakwie. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Björkdahl, Caroline LU
supervisor
organization
course
UTVK03 20181
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
teenage pregnancy, education, empowerment, inclusive development, Sierra Leone
language
English
id
8947472
date added to LUP
2018-06-21 13:50:46
date last changed
2018-06-21 13:50:46
@misc{8947472,
  abstract     = {{Sierra Leone struggles with one of the world’s highest rates of teenage pregnancy.
Reducing the rate of teenage pregnancy and ensuring access to education for all are key to
achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls. This is not only a top priority for
the government but also an essential part of ensuring the human rights of the population and
achieving inclusive development, as recognised in the international development agenda. Yet,
thousands of Sierra Leonean girls are denied the right to education because they are not allowed
in school if they get pregnant. This discriminatory practice was formalised through a policy
declaration in 2015. Research that pays attention to connections between teenage pregnancy,
education and empowerment commonly focus on education as a tool to prevent early pregnancy
and keep girls in school. The objective of this thesis is thus to shed light on the situation for
out-of-school pregnant teenagers and young mothers in Kamakwie, Sierra Leone. Data was
collected through interviews with 16 young girls and complemented with key informant
interviews and a focus group discussion. Their narratives were analysed in relation to theories
of empowerment and inclusive development. The analysis centres around challenges the girls
encounter to return to school and make strategic life choices, and whether education for them
has potential for empowerment. Findings of the study indicate that the major barriers to girls’
education are economic and social, rather than legal, and it appears that the government policy
has not had any substantial impact in Kamakwie.}},
  author       = {{Björkdahl, Caroline}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Implications of teenage pregnancy and motherhood for girls’ educational opportunities - A case study in Kamakwie, Sierra Leone}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}