The Chamber of Deputies on Monday, October 17 rejected a bill that sought to provide for access to contraceptive services for children (girls) aged from 15. Data from the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion early this year showed that cases of teenage pregnancies increased by 23 per cent from 19,701 in 2020 to 23,000 in 2021. The Eastern province registered the highest number of teenage mothers. Nyagatare district had 1,799 cases of teen mothers, Gatsibo registered 1,574 while Kirehe had 1,365. The causes for the spike in teenage pregnancies was attributed to Parents who don’t get involved in their children’s personal lives, family conflicts, misuse of ICT and social media platforms, in addition to limited knowledge and access to youth and child-friendly sexual reproductive Health and Right services among other reasons. In most African families, any mention of sex is taboo so sex education was left in the form of street rumours, illicit publications or social media. Today, many parents are regretting. That is one of several reasons the proponents of the bill intended to avoid by initiating the bill. It is an open secret that teenagers are sexually active at an early age. Girls, at such an age are gullible, vulnerable and easily manipulated. While some MPs who rejected the draft bill called for more robust involvement of different stakeholders in the issue like parents, faith based organisations and others, there is no harm in involving 15-year-olds and above to seek their opinion about a matter that affects them. Debate on the issue should also be progressive in consideration of the changing world dynamics where teens, especially girls, want more involvement in how their bodies are governed. Emotions too should be put aside when dealing with social issues that have deep repercussions. Yes, sexual education should be prioritised both at school and at home, but in the meantime, the child must be protected from the cruel world outside there teeming with sexual predators and paedophiles.
