Tanzanian President John Magufuli issued a statement banning students who are impregnated from resuming with their studies.
Many were outraged by the ban, and called for the President to apologise and withdraw his sentiments.
Among them is Jackie Leonard Lomboma who got pregnant when she was 15 years old.
She shares her experience below:
My family couldn't afford to pay for me to go to secondary school and I met a boy who promised that he would talk to his parents to help once I accepted to be with him.
The first time I met him is the first time I got pregnant and that was the last time I saw him.
It was the first time I had sex.
My grandfather chased me out of home. As per the village rules and custom, when a girl gets pregnant at a young age, before getting married; you become like a curse to your family and everyone in the village.
I ended up working as a maid with a family who moved away. When they were leaving for another place, the mother asked me what I needed for her as a goodbye gift.
I told her I want to go to school.
It was really tough. The kids were bullying me, laughing at me and life at school was very difficult.
But I was empowered through education, that is why today I am supporting other girls to stand up again.
It is a big disappointment to hear such a statement from our president. It is only education that can help overcome poverty.
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