Pregnancy Did Not End Francisca’s Education: How Community Advocacy Helped Her Return to School

Through the CLEAR Project, YEFL Ghana’s Community Journalists and Girls’ Caucus members helped Francisca, a learner from Talensi District, return to school after pregnancy and continue her education.

A picture of Francisca in White, Girls Caucus member Eva in the middle, and Francisca’s mother on the right.

For Francisca, pregnancy threatened to end her education. Like many girls who become pregnant while still in school, she dropped out, facing the risk that a temporary interruption could become permanent.

Her story changed through the efforts of community advocates working under YEFL Ghana’s CLEAR Project, which supports young people to address community challenges through advocacy and engagement.

In Talensi District, Community Journalists and Girls’ Caucus members, led in this case by Eva, engaged parents and students on the consequences of early marriage and school dropout. Through community sensitisation, direct conversations and follow-ups with families, they encouraged girls to continue their education and helped parents understand the importance of supporting them.

Francisca’s case received direct attention from the advocates, who engaged both her and her parents to encourage her return to school. Her mother supported the effort, helping to convince Francisca to resume her education.

“We intervened and pleaded with the girl and also the parents to let the girl go back to school. Her mother also wanted the girl to go back to school, so with the help of the mother, we were able to convince the girl go back to school through sensitisation and engagement,” Eva explained.

A Second Chance at Education

The intervention yielded a positive outcome. Francisca returned to school and, according to Eva, is now attending Bolgatanga Technical Senior High School.

Beyond her individual progress, the initiative is helping build trust between community members and young advocates. Eva reported that parents were increasingly approaching Girls’ Caucus members when concerns relating to early marriage arose, creating opportunities for timely intervention.

Francisca’s experience reflects YEFL Ghana’s commitment to youth-led advocacy and community participation. Through the CLEAR Project, Community Journalists and Girls’ Caucus members are helping families address barriers to education and encouraging communities to protect girls’ opportunities to learn.

Her story demonstrates that pregnancy should not automatically bring a girl’s education to an end. With family support, community engagement and consistent follow-up, girls can find a pathway back to school.

CLEAR Project | EducationOutLoud | 2026

Documented by CLEAR Project Monitoring Team.