In 2016, National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda revealed that teenage pregnancy rates stood at 7.3 per cent for adolescents between 15 and 19 years, and 5.5 per cent for those aged from 10 to 14 years.
The matter, that has since caught the attention of many, on Thursday, brought together about 100 representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other stakeholders to brainstorm on how to tackle it.
Organised by Rwanda Civil Society Platform (RCSP), Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), and UNDP, the Policy Dialogue was held under the theme, "CSOs Advocacy on Teenage Pregnancy”.
"It’s evident that teenage pregnancies are escalating. We came together as civil society and other stakeholders to brainstorm on relevant solutions, because we believe that without joint collaboration we can’t get rid of this problem,” the Chairperson of RCSP, Joseph Ryarasa Nkurunziza, told the media.
A study conducted by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion indicated that in 2017, about 17,000 teenage pregnancies were recorded among girls aged between 16 to 19 years.
The Chief Executive Officer of RGB, Usta Kayitesi, said that, "We need to understand this problem in a broader picture; these are not simply data, they are lives of this country’s future leaders.”
She added: "Teenage pregnancy affects us all and, therefore, shows urgent need to collaboratively find a solution.”
Who should do what?
Participants suggested recommendations on what should be done to reverse the problem.
"Parents should put much emphasis in educating their young girls on how to make right decisions and be aware of their body changes if we want them to become future mothers,” said Emma Marie Bugingo, Executive Director of PRO-FEMMES/TWESE HAMWE.
Many other activists also noted that parents should be open enough to chat with their children on reproductive health, for them to be cautious in having sex at an early age.
"We are requesting the Government to make impregnating teenagers an imprescriptible crime, because most of the criminals can’t be convicted after the ten years provided by the law, regardless of other existing proof,” said Umurerwa Ninette, National Executive Secretary of Haguruka.
Reseacher Michael Tumusiime Rwibasira said: "Men who impregnate these little girls should be severely dealt with. I suggest that, if caught, their names should be published so that others can also learn a lesson from that”.
Rwibasira added that the law on teenage sexual harassment should also be explained more to citizens, noting that most times people in rural areas suffer from ignorance.
Law sparks debate
As reported this week, the Government is revising a law that will see the age one can legally access family planning methods lowered from 18 to 15 years. At the dialogue, some activists opposed it.
"We are not preventing this problem by allowing young girls access contraceptives. Even mature people sometimes get side effects because of using contraceptives, now imagine a young girl!” Bugingo said.
"This will affect her as she grows and eventually affect her marriage when she can no longer give birth due to early sexual intercourse. More efforts should be put in educating them to make the right choices instead, "she added.
editor@newtimesrwanda.com