Protecting the most vulnerable: Importance of policy and legislation to prevent compulsory withdrawal of pregnant learners and guarantee re-entry - Policy Brief

Worldwide, one in five girls has given birth by the age of 18. In the poorest regions of the world, this figure rises to over one in three girls. Adolescent births are more likely to occur among the poor, less educated, rural and indigenous populations. In the Caribbean region, adolescent fertility is at 60.1births per 1000, which is above the desired benchmark of 40 births per 1000. Teen pregnancy and early motherhood represent a cost of opportunityfor women, given that they often have to interruptor drop out of their formal education4, which compromises girls’ development opportunities.