Imbuto Foundation, over the weekend, launched a sensitisation drive to encourage parents and adolescents to talk about sexuality and reproductive health.

In the past, open discussion about sex between children and their parents was considered a taboo in the Rwandan culture. The closest sexuality or reproductive health was ever discussed, was when girls were on the verge of getting married and aunties would sit down the bride to-be and give counsel on marriage life. 

Times have changed and the youth today are at risk of destroying their futures due to misinformation regarding sexuality.

According to the Ministry of Information, more than 600 pregnancy cases were reported in secondary schools last year, with the Eastern Province leading with 177. This has contributed to girls dropping out of school, leaving them with a bleak future.

Beyond unwanted pregnancies and dropping out of school, girls as well as boys risk getting infected with HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

To reverse this trend, it is imperative that parents talk to their children about sex at an early age, as national surveys conducted by the Ministry of Health show that some children below the age of 15 are sexually active.

It is unacceptable to shy away from the responsibility of protecting children.

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