WESTERN PROVINCE

KARONGI — Districts Mayors in the province have been urged to intensify family planning sensitisation, after it was realised that demand for the service is low.

The call was made during a family planning workshop held in Karongi District last Friday.

The workshop attracted officials from the Ministries of Finance, Gender and Family Promotion and from the Ministry of Health.

It was organized under the theme; Family planning and population champions.

Participants dwelt on the role of Mayors in promoting and sensitising residents on family planning, noting that men particularly shun family planning.

Nyabihu District, participants said, has managed to bring men on board and other districts were asked to emulate it.

Organised by Intra Health International, participants noted that family planning is one of the critical tools that can lead to the country’s development.

MP Ezechias Rwabuhihi, who represented the network of Rwandan Parliamentarians for the Population’s Development (RPRPD), said the workshop aimed at helping Mayor understand the problems of the poor citizens of the country today, while sensitising them on family planning.

"We need to come up with a common understanding of issues that may lead to social problems of our people, and lack of family planning is amongst the causes of these problems,” he said.

The lawmaker explained that Parliament drafted a law that governs family planning implementations and Mayors should particularly lead the campaign.

In a separate interview, Bernard Kayumba, the Mayor of Karongi District told The New Times that the workshop was timely.

"We have been sensitising our residents on family planning in the district, but the workshop has added us more knowledge in our campaign since it is a lead to the population’s development,” he said.

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