Onixia, a young girl's courage in the face of adversity

At just 20 years old, Razafindrasoa Onixia exudes determination and pride. In 2025, she earned her high school diploma — a qualification that may seem ordinary to many, but which represents a significant achievement for her. For her, however, it symbolises victory over years of silent struggle and sacrifice.

Onixia grew up in Mahatsinjo, a small village in Vondrozo in south-eastern Madagascar, in a modest family of four children. Her father was a civil servant, and her mother was a homemaker, and both of her parents always prioritised education. From her early years at private school, Onixia stood out for her excellent results.

However, the family's stability was undermined when her father was transferred to a remote location. Financial difficulties ensued, so Onixia enrolled in a public school to ease the burden on her family. She obtained her Certificate of Primary Education (CEPE) with pride, and then, thanks to her parents' sacrifices, she continued her education at a private school, obtaining her Brevet d'Etudes du Premier Cycle (BEPC).

At secondary school, she faced mounting challenges: financial constraints, teenage distractions, and her first romantic relationships all affected her grades. However, she managed to enter her final year. However, her life was turned upside down during the 2023 school break when she became pregnant. Faced with pressure to terminate the pregnancy, Onixia refused. To protect her health, her father sent her to Farafangana, near the district of Vondrozo, where there were facilities for a safe delivery, and she could continue her studies. However, no school would accept a pregnant student.  

“I saw my dreams closing one after the other, but I told myself that there must be a door that will open,” she says.

In January 2024, four months pregnant, she enrolled as an independent candidate. In a classroom of 400 students, she faced ridicule and humiliation while coping with hunger and a lack of money. Her father could only send her two dollars a week, so she travelled long distances to study. In April, seven months pregnant, she gave birth to her child. Three months later, despite sleepless nights and the responsibilities of caring for her baby, she returned to school, borrowing her friends' notebooks to catch up. She left her child with her mother in Vondrozo and returned to Farafangana to finish the school year.

Despite her efforts, she failed her high school diploma in 2024. Far from discouraging her, this failure strengthened her determination. Her father suggested she stop studying and start working, but she replied, “No, I want to get my high school diploma no matter what.”

For the 2024-2025 school year, Onixia re-enrolls at Vondrozo High School. With courage and discipline, she attends classes, studies, and takes exams, motivated by her child's future. In 2025, her efforts are rewarded: she obtains her high school diploma.

Her ambition is not limited to that. She dreams of continuing her studies at the École Normale Supérieure in Fianarantsoa, in Madagascar's Haute Matsiatra region, to become a teacher. She has become a role model for young girls in her community, demonstrating that perseverance and courage can transform adversity into strength.

According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS6), a quarter of Madagascar's population consists of adolescents aged 10 to 19.  

In a country where 64% of the population is under 25, this age group is a key demographic force, yet they remain among the most vulnerable. According to the 2023 Multiple Overlap of Deprivation (MODA) analysis, 96% of girls aged 10 to 17 live in multidimensional poverty.

This vulnerability translates into difficult realities, including early marriage, unwanted pregnancies, dropping out of school, and excessive domestic burdens. In the Atsimo Atsinanana region, 59% of women aged 20 to 24 were married before the age of 18, compared to just 16% of men. In the Atsimo Atsinanana region, 55% of children aged 5 to 17 are involved in child labour, which negatively impacts their education and personal development. This situation severely compromises their ability to build a future for themselves.

UNICEF supports the government, particularly in the Atsimo Atsinanana region, by backing the girls' empowerment forum in Vondrozo to bolster their academic success, economic independence, and civic participation. Through this initiative, UNICEF promotes the development of life skills, leadership, and entrepreneurship, as well as providing access to information, mentoring, and career guidance. At the same time, it supports protection against violence, raises awareness of health and hygiene, and increases exposure to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects, offering adolescent girls real opportunities.

Onixia's message is clear: never let obstacles or criticism distract you from your goals. She also encourages parents to support their children in continuing their education, as education remains the greatest asset. Her journey proves that, with determination and support, even the most challenging situations can be overcome.