In Buhunda village, early pregnancies continue to disrupt girls’ education—especially at the secondary level. A school leader shared the challenges faced by Ilujamate Secondary School:

“Early pregnancies have caused many girls to drop out. Fewer girls are completing secondary school, and their performance in final exams is suffering.”

He added:

“Local traditions discourage girls from continuing school. People believe girls can’t perform as well as boys, so they push them toward marriage. During holidays, many girls become pregnant—parents don’t follow up or provide basic needs. Some girls arrive at school already pregnant. And nearby mining activities expose students to men with money, which leads to risky relationships.”

This story reveals how cultural beliefs, economic vulnerability, and lack of parental support combine to derail girls’ education. TAHEA Mwanza works to counter these forces through school-based mentorship, parental engagement campaigns, and advocacy for safer learning environments.

👉 Action Step: Support TAHEA Mwanza’s education and protection programs for girls. Your partnership helps challenge harmful norms, strengthen parental involvement, and create safe pathways for girls to complete school and thrive.