Nyabihu district has intensified efforts to combat defilement in response to the high prevalence of teen pregnancies, authorities said.
Since June 2023, Nyabihu district has recorded 87 cases of teen pregnancies as per official figures, a number likely to be higher as many cases are not reported by the victims.
Pascal Simpenzwe, Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, said currently, there are nearly 17 cases of defilement reported by teen mothers to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).
This crackdown is part of a broader initiative aimed at preventing more teen pregnancies which have led to alarming rates of stunting seen particularly from children born to teenage mothers.
"We’re very concerned about teen pregnancies, as these children face significant risks of becoming stunted because their young mothers are often unable to adequately care for them," said Simpenzwe.
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Simpenzwe says that local officials are raising awareness about the seriousness of defilement as a crime; ensuring offenders are arrested and punished to deter potential perpetrators.
Family conflicts involving spouses has been observed as another factor contributing to high stunting rates in Nyabihu and neighboring districts, including Rubavu and Musanze.
In response to the alarming rates of stunting, which is often linked to malnutrition in children born under such circumstances, the district is "encouraging parents to treat teen mothers with care and respect, as mistreatment can lead to further family conflicts and negatively impact the health of both the mother and child.”
According to previous Maternal and Child Health (MCH) reports, the stunting rate in Nyabihu stands at 35.1%. The National Child Development Agency (NCD) indicates that stunting remains highest in the Western province though it has decreased from 44.9% to 40.2% between 2015 and 2020.
Victim Speaks Out
Anita Tumukunde, a resident of Bigogwe Sector, Nyabihu district, shared her experience of being impregnated at 17 while still a student. "They [my parents] used to lock me up at home, and I was voiceless,” she recalls. "I had no capacity to care for my baby, and my parents couldn’t help. I couldn’t even breastfeed my baby because I hated her.”
Tumukunde’s situation improved with the support of Imbuto Foundation. "Through the Imbuto Foundation program, I learned how to prepare a balanced diet, which has significantly helped me and my baby," she added.
Parents in Bigogwe Sector, like Furaha Uwiduhaye, are also concerned about persistent malnutrition.
"Teens who get impregnated often hide their pregnancies, leading to higher rates of malnutrition and stunting among their children," Uwiduhaye explained.
Marie Louise Uwishema, a 48-year-old resident of Bigogwe Sector, highlighted another issue.
"There is a high unemployment rate here," she said. Uwishema adopted a child who was abandoned and left in a pit, underscoring the community's challenges.