We come bearing good news.

In March, you signed this petition titled “End discrimination against girls who become pregnant--education is their right,” through the #ShesAGirlFirst campaign. This campaign stemmed from a video co-created by She’s the First and Purposeful, to raise awareness of a global issue, as well as to support the fight of local activists in Sierra Leone, where it was against the law for a pregnant girl to ever return to school.

Last Thursday, a landmark decision from the Economic Community of West African States Court of Justice (ECOWAS) in Abuja, Nigeria, ruled that Sierra Leone's ban on pregnant girls taking exams and attending school is unlawful. The court ordered the government of Sierra Leone to lift the ban immediately, act to address the increased number of teenage pregnancies, and work to fight discrimination against pregnant girls. 

You can read more here: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/dec/13/sierra-leone-ordered-to-revoke-ban-on-pregnant-schoolgirls

There is still much work to be done to ensure that access to school also means girls are given support, in Sierra Leone and worldwide. This, however, is a tremendous victory and testament to the power of tireless local activists.

She’s the First would like to recognize our partners in Sierra Leone for their leadership--Purposeful, Project PIKIN, and The Salone Adolescent Girls Network--and wish you all a new year filled with joy and justice.

Thank you for your grassroots support of this petition and what it stands for.