I reported Lucy’s health problems to the teacher on duty, who granted me a gate pass to take her to a nearby hospital for treatment.Īfter returning to school later that day, the second master called me to his office to ask why I had brought my friend to the hospital. Being young and naïve, I never suspected she might be pregnant. I felt so sorry for her and wanted to help. Lucy told me she was having issues with her stomach, which was swelling for no reason and was hurting a lot. As usual, I couldn’t help but probe and asked what was wrong. Then one day, which I still remember so vividly, I noticed Lucy seemed upset and lost in thought.

As someone who lives to converse, I was always the first to strike up a conversation and get her talking. She was a quiet, brilliant student who took her studies very seriously.

We shared a love of science I was studying physics, chemistry, and biology while she was taking chemistry, biology, and geography. Lucy and I met when I began my secondary education at a public, girls-only boarding school. What happened to Lucy shaped me and made me realize how unjust the SRHR landscape is in our society. Today, I would like to honor my classmate Lucy (not her real name), one of many survivors of a system of inequitable sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Prudence Masako, EngenderHealth country representative for Tanzania, recalls one of her classmates whose education was derailed by this policy and outlines her recommendations for what Tanzania can do to help young mothers continue their education.īy Prudence Masako, EngenderHealth Country Representative for Tanzania In November 2021, the Tanzanian government lifted a ban on adolescent mothers attending school.

All My Life by Rucy Ban