LAGOS, Dec 12 (Reuters) - West Africa's top court on
Thursday ordered Sierra Leone to revoke a ban on pregnant girls
in school, a move activists hope could lead to challenges
against similar laws across Africa.
The continent has the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in
the world, and 18 African countries require pregnant girls to
drop out of school.
Sierra Leone's ban was adopted in 2015 as teenage
pregnancies rose during an Ebola epidemic. Critics say it has
increased stigma for pregnant girls and sent thousands back in
their studies.
The government has argued that allowing pregnant girls to
attend school would tire them out, expose them to ridicule and
encourage others to get pregnant.
Sierra Leone's education minister David Senghe declined to
comment on whether the government would respect the ruling.
Previous Sierra Leonean governments have ignored decisions by
the ECOWAS court.
The government has created part-time centers where pregnant
girls could study but the Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS) court in Nigeria ruled that this was not
sufficient.
"The Court holds that the establishment of separate schools
for pregnant girls with four taught subjects operating three
days a week is discriminatory and a violation of the right to
equal education," the ruling stated.
"This is a great victory and will set a strong precedent
across Africa," said Judy Gitau, the head of women's rights
group Equality Now, which brought the case. "We're confident
(the government) will make a decision to lift the ban."
Patience Aminata, who was kicked out of school three years
ago at the age of 17, said she hoped to return.
"If a girl gets pregnant, she has every right to further her
education because it leads to success, not just for her, but for
her whole family," she said. "This ruling means it's not too
late for me either."