NCDA, partners celebrate achievements in supporting teen mothers

By Diane Iradukunda.

The National Child Development Agency (NCDA), in partnership with the University of Rwanda (UR) and Hope and Homes for Children, organized a significant celebration event on June 26, 2024, titled “From Hopelessness to Regained Dignity: A Model of Interventions to Support Teen Mothers.”

Prof. Vincent Sezibera, a psychology instructor at the University of Rwanda and a member of the NGO, opened the event with an introduction to the results from this intervention model.

He emphasized the importance of the model through research and evidence, recognizing the complex challenges faced by teen mothers.

Research from UNICEF and the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) highlights that violence against children and youth is a significant issue, often leading to teen pregnancies.

A UN report further underscores the severe difficulties associated with such violence, inspiring the slogan “Hope and Homes for Children.”

Sezibera expressed gratitude to the parents who have supported their children through these adversities, helping them regain hope.

The primary measures implemented, with the support of the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion and various stakeholders, included comprehensive packages for teen mothers.

These packages provided medical, legal, safety, and security support, with a primary focus on helping teen mothers return to school. Additionally, the ISANGE One Stop Center was established to help victims access justice. INSHUTI Z’UMURYANGO (Friends of the Family) worked closely with committee members to ensure effective reintegration, creating a supportive environment for teen mothers.

In her closing remarks, Aline Umutoni, Director General of Family Promotion and Child Protection in the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF), expressed gratitude to Hope and Homes for Children for sharing the intervention model to support teen mothers. She emphasized that without these interventions, the remarkable results and testimonies shared today wouldn’t have been possible. By sharing this model, it has inspired many in attendance and provided an opportunity for collective learning.

She encouraged everyone to embrace collaboration, innovation, and effective implementation in preventing early pregnancies among young girls. She recognized the teen mothers themselves as new partners, urging them to spread awareness within their communities.

The event was more than a presentation of achievements; it was a celebration of the resilience, determination, and hope of the 252 teen mothers who have been central to this cornerstone project.

Data from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) shows that 55% of women aged 15-19 have begun childbearing, with 4% having given birth and 1% pregnant with their first child.

This data underscores the gaps that the government, media, and various NGOs need to address, while highlighting the critical role of parents in supporting these young mothers.

theinspirerpublications@gmail.com