There is a pressing need to expand 'youth-friendly corners' in health centers and schools after the Eastern Province recorded the highest teen pregnancy rates among girls under 18.

According to a report by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), about 8,000 girls under 18 sought antenatal care services in 2023.

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This issue came to the forefront as Rwanda and the world celebrated the Day of the African Child on June 16, with a focus on girls’ education. Activists emphasised that many pregnant girls are pressured or forced to drop out of school, significantly impacting their educational and employment opportunities.

Francois Regis Cyiza, the Director of Child and Maternal Health Programmes at RBC, highlighted that Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Bugesera, Rwamagana, Ngoma, Kayonza, and Kirehe districts have the highest pregnancy rates. Additionally, Gasabo, Rubavu, and Kamonyi are among the top ten districts with such cases.

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Conversely, districts with fewer cases include Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe, Nyamasheke, Karongi, Nyabihu, Rutsiro, Rusizi, Gakenke, Muhanga, and Nyarugenge.

Globally, in 2022, an estimated 13 percent of adolescent girls and young women gave birth before age 18, according to UNICEF. Early childbearing can derail girls&039; development into adulthood and negatively impact their education, livelihoods, and health.

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Many pregnant girls face social consequences, including reduced status, stigmatization, rejection, violence, and early forced marriage. Health risks such as obstetric fistula, eclampsia, puerperal endometritis, and systemic infections are also prevalent.

Maternal conditions are among the leading causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and death among girls aged 15-19.

The report from RBC shows that the country has been grappling with several challenges related to adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH), including early sexual activity, teenage pregnancy, unsafe abortion, risky sex, and low contraceptive use. Young people have limited opportunities to learn about and discuss puberty, sexuality, and family planning due to social stigma and cultural and religious barriers.

The youth corners, Cyiza noted, aim to enhance the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and youth.

"Lack of information about sexual reproductive health contributes to the rise in pregnancies among girls under 18 and HIV infections, as well as school dropouts. Youth-friendly corners are crucial. Sexual reproductive health should be comprehensively taught in schools," he explained.

In Rwanda, the HIV positivity rate is estimated at 3 percent among high-risk adolescent girls and young women, with the highest rate in Kigali (5 percent) and the lowest in the Western Province (1 percent).

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region most affected by the HIV epidemic, early and unintended pregnancies, and gender-based violence, according to UNICEF.

Three out of four new HIV infections occur among those aged 15-19. Nearly 98,000 adolescent females worldwide tested positive for the virus in 2022.

Comprehensive Sexuality Education in School Curricula

Jacques Nsengiyumva, Executive Director of the Rwanda Women Adolescent and Child Health Initiative (RWACHI), stressed the need to strengthen the integration of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) into school curricula and health programs.

"Without parental guidance, adolescents often seek sexual reproductive health information from peers and social media, leading to misconceptions and risky behavior. Unrestricted access to sexual reproductive information and services is crucial to prevent early and unwanted pregnancies, HIV, STIs, and other SRH issues," he said.

Nsengiyumva added that fostering collaboration between the health and education sectors can improve the quality of comprehensive sexuality education delivery in Rwanda.

The government and women's rights advocates are also translating a UNESCO toolkit into Kinyarwanda at a cost of nearly Rwf 1 billion. This toolkit will help parents, teachers, and guardians educate children and youth on sexual and reproductive health to address teen pregnancies.