A report by Côte d’Ivoire’s National Human Rights Council has revealed a troubling rise in school pregnancies, documenting 3,588 cases between September 2022 and April 2023.
Presented to the National Assembly on Wednesday, the report attributed the crisis to factors including inadequate sex education, socio-economic challenges, and insufficient enforcement of protective measures for young girls in schools.
In response, the Council has urged immediate action, recommending intensified awareness campaigns, better access to reproductive health services, and stricter penalties for individuals exploiting minors.
Lawmakers and stakeholders are also pushing for robust support systems to help affected students continue their education amidst the crisis.