CSOs urged to step up efforts to combat early pregnancies

By Elias Hakizimana.

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working on Sexual Reproductive Health have been called upon to step up their efforts to prevent early pregnancies.

While officially opening a three-day workshop for Civil Society Organizations working on Sexual Reproductive Health, Dr. Gatera Joseph, an official in the Ministry of Health in charge of Maternal and Child Health, he said there was an increase of early pregnancies, which he considered an epidemic. He urged these organizations to step up efforts to end this problem.

“This workshop is timely because the statistics are showing us that there is an increase in early pregnancies. I take it as an epidemic because the number keep increasing,” he said.

“That is why CSOs are needed to continue helping us sensitize the community, especially parent to participate in their children’s education and well-being, but we also urge children to participate and know their rights to sexual Reproductive Health.” He added.

He said that a recent study by CLADHO found that over 45% of children were raped by their peers.

Gatera said that a big problem is that the law that protects Children against early pregnancies is there but criminals are not afraid of it even if the penalties are heavy.

Another problem is that children themselves are more likely to become pregnant due to lack of information on Sexual Reproductive Health.

“We need CSOs to help us raise awareness in the community by adequately communicating the law, so that culprits know that penalties are in place.” He said.

Gatera urges parents in general to know where the children are, where they are going, who gave them the phone and what they will use it for because social media also lead them to misbehavior such as prostitution.

Aimable Mwananawe, the National Coordinator of Ihorere Munyarwanda Organization (IMRO) said that the aim of the workshop is to empower CSOs working on Sexual Reproductive Health and equip them with both national and international legal education.

He also said that the workshop will increase the awareness of these organizations on the policies that Rwanda has put in place in Reproductive Health programs.

“They will be given skills on laws, knowledge on reproductive health, as well as knowledge on how to work together to contribute to the implementation of the National Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Health for 2018-2024, where all stakeholders are required to take part in tackling issues that have been identified.”

After the workshop, CSOs will set up a Network for exchanging information on Sexual Reproductive Health and plan together issues to be advocated for.

Recent DHS statistics OF 2015 found that the number of early pregnancies in Rwanda was 7.3 percent. So far, there are no new figures released.

The Recent Rwanda’ health statistics showed that around 17,337 teenage pregnancies in 2017 and approximately 9,172 teenage pregnancies in the first 6 months of 2018 were recorded in health facilities.

There are currently some laws and policies in place to help ensure the provision of sexual and reproductive health to adolescents; However, there is still a gap in the knowledge and awareness among Rwandan youth about their sexual and reproductive rights along with the lack of authority and skills to claim their rights.

A recent study by 2016 by CLADHO revealed that only 13% of girls reported that they have knowledge on ASRH, 22% on SGBV and only 31% on Child-Rights.