Before you say anything, let's first come to terms that our teenagers are having sex. In this case, the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday, November 5, approved the relevance of a bill on health services, which among other proposals, seeks to revise the age of consent for healthcare services to 15 from the current 18. Tabled by the Minister of Health before the lower chamber, this bill, if adopted, will ease access to reproductive health services, among others, for teenagers and reduce associated health risks, including unwanted teenage pregnancies. ALSO READ: Teenage pregnancy: Time to openly discuss alternative solutions Similar attempts to achieve this have been futile in the past, but it is high time for our parliament to do the needful and ensure that Rwandan teenagers do not have to miss out on opportunities because of an early pregnancy or its consequences. Arguments such as “this will encourage children to have sex” are out of touch with the reality. The 2020 Rwanda Demographic Health Survey reported that 5 percent of girls aged 15-19 had begun childbearing. Out of these, four percent had given birth, and one percent were pregnant with their first child. These underage pregnancies translate to tens of thousands per year. ALSO READ: What will it take for Rwanda to rein in the teenage pregnancy menace? It is a glaring indication that children are already having sex and suffering the consequences too, not to mention the offspring. Countless girls drop out of school to raise children in poverty, and the physical and mental distress of having an untimely and unwanted pregnancy is too big a burden to them. Giving teenagers choices to protect themselves, including the use of contraception, is only one addition to already existing efforts, such as education. It is an empowerment that can protect their present and future. Denying teenagers contraception to let them suffer as if there isn't anything we can do is unfair and hinders our society from development. Remember, prevention is better than cure. The time is now. That said, we must continue to encourage our children to not engage in premature sex and this starts from the family.
