Siphethangani, 18, pictured, finished secondary (high) school with flying colors and is now doing her A-Levels (college exams). "I love school because that's the foundation of a good life," she tells the researchers. But life looks very different for some girls. From poverty to child marriage, there are an array of reasons why many young Zimbabwean women drop out of school. These are their stories, as told to Plan International. <br />
'Invisible' girls of Zimbabwe —
Siphethangani, 18, pictured, finished secondary (high) school with flying colors and is now doing her A-Levels (college exams). "I love school because that's the foundation of a good life," she tells the researchers. But life looks very different for some girls. From poverty to child marriage, there are an array of reasons why many young Zimbabwean women drop out of school. These are their stories, as told to Plan International.
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Siphiwe, 19, is a stay-at-home wife and mother who couldn't afford to finish school. "To other girls I say don't rush into marriage. Go to school and finish," she tells Plan's researchers. <br />In Zimbabwe, 1 in 3 girls are married before their 18th birthday, according to Plan.
'Invisible' girls of Zimbabwe —
Siphiwe, 19, is a stay-at-home wife and mother who couldn't afford to finish school. "To other girls I say don't rush into marriage. Go to school and finish," she tells Plan's researchers.
In Zimbabwe, 1 in 3 girls are married before their 18th birthday, according to Plan.
Plan International / ST Productions
Siphiwe's days are now filled with household and childcare tasks. "Taking care of a child at a young age is very difficult," she tells the researchers.
'Invisible' girls of Zimbabwe —
Siphiwe's days are now filled with household and childcare tasks. "Taking care of a child at a young age is very difficult," she tells the researchers.
Plan International / ST Productions
Jenny, 13, could not afford to finish school. She took up work as a sex worker to make ends meet -- she earns a couple of dollars per client, according to Plan. Sometimes, clients reject her for being too young, she told Plan's researchers. Others are violent. "Sometimes the men use force. It's very painful."
'Invisible' girls of Zimbabwe —
Jenny, 13, could not afford to finish school. She took up work as a sex worker to make ends meet -- she earns a couple of dollars per client, according to Plan. Sometimes, clients reject her for being too young, she told Plan's researchers. Others are violent. "Sometimes the men use force. It's very painful."
Plan International / ST Productions
Jenny's friend Pauline has been working as a sex worker for three years, and has lost count of the number of men she has been with, according to Plan.
'Invisible' girls of Zimbabwe —
Jenny's friend Pauline has been working as a sex worker for three years, and has lost count of the number of men she has been with, according to Plan.
Plan International / ST Productions
Like her mother, Wendy took to prostitution to escape the grips of poverty. At 16, she has now returned to school and left the world of sex work behind, and is part of a program in the area run by Plan.<br />
'Invisible' girls of Zimbabwe —
Like her mother, Wendy took to prostitution to escape the grips of poverty. At 16, she has now returned to school and left the world of sex work behind, and is part of a program in the area run by Plan.
Plan International / ST Productions
"I am happy I have left sex work," 16-year-old Wendy tells researchers from Plan International. "I will not go back. I will take out my books and read."
'Invisible' girls of Zimbabwe —
"I am happy I have left sex work," 16-year-old Wendy tells researchers from Plan International. "I will not go back. I will take out my books and read."
Plan International / ST Productions
Orphaned at 15 and forced to drop out of school, Melissa, 17, busies herself taking care of the household. According to Plan International, all Melissa dreams of is returning to school.
'Invisible' girls of Zimbabwe —
Orphaned at 15 and forced to drop out of school, Melissa, 17, busies herself taking care of the household. According to Plan International, all Melissa dreams of is returning to school.
Plan International / ST Productions
Melissa currently helps her aunt grow and sell vegetables. "It's hard to imagine," she tells Plan's researchers. "I only see a bleak future. I have to change it and go back to school."
'Invisible' girls of Zimbabwe —
Melissa currently helps her aunt grow and sell vegetables. "It's hard to imagine," she tells Plan's researchers. "I only see a bleak future. I have to change it and go back to school."
Plan International / ST Productions
To pass the time, Melissa plays netball with other girls who no longer go to school. According to Plan, there are hundreds of Zimbabwean girls out of school living unfulfilled lives.
'Invisible' girls of Zimbabwe —
To pass the time, Melissa plays netball with other girls who no longer go to school. According to Plan, there are hundreds of Zimbabwean girls out of school living unfulfilled lives.
Plan International / ST Productions