Nyiransabimana Joyeuse, a teen mother from Karongi district, Western part of Rwanda, got pregnant when she was 16 years old, she immediately dropped out of school and was rejected by her family. She had never had a conversation with anyone about reproductive health. One day, a male neighbor took advantage of that and got her pregnant.
“He told me that he bought something for me, and asked me to pass by his house and receive my gift. When I got there, he closed the front door and raped me”. She said before adding:
“I found out when I was 3 months pregnant, when I told him, he denied it. I never saw him again. I had to raise my child alone”
Nyiransabimana shared her story on May 27, during a community outreach session in Rubengera Sector, as part of the UNFPA week-long campaign to launch the 2022 State of World Population (SWOP) Report
Nyiransabimana shared her story on May 27, during a community outreach session in Rubengera Sector, as part of the UNFPA week-long campaign to launch the 2022 State of World Population (SWOP) Report.
Launched globally under the theme 'Seeing the Unseen: the case for action in the neglected crisis of unintended pregnancy”, the 2022 SWOP report is a wake-up call to recognize that unintended pregnancy is not only a women’s concern but a global crisis with global costs.
In Rwanda, the SWOP report was launched under the theme: “Addressing Teenage Pregnancy: The Call for Action”, where UNFPA and the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Gender and Family Planning, as well as development partners, and other partners pledged to stand up for the adolescent girls like Nyirahabimana, who, through ignorance about her body or lack of choice or both is condemned to a life of poverty when unintended pregnancy ends her education, and prevent them from fulfilling their potential.
Speaking at the launch, UNFPA Representative, Kwabena Asante-Ntiamoah said that the crisis of teenage pregnancy has gone on for too long and that it is now time to open our eyes, to see the unseen!
“Various studies on different levels have been conducted but there is a need to conduct a comprehensive study on teenage pregnancies that is far-reaching to further understand the phenomena with data and evidence for policy, decision making, planning, and targeted interventions.” He said.
Effects of teenage pregnancy are not just on the girl, but on the whole country!
Unintended pregnancy is linked to gender inequality, lower socioeconomic development, higher maternal death rates, and that poverty, lower levels of education and employment, and exposure to violence and coercion reinforce the high rates.
Most First Time Young Mothers (FTYM) like Nyirahabimana feel ashamed because of what the community thinks of teenage pregnancy. Because of the stigma and lack of help from their families, most young mothers engage in sex work, drug use, or other bad habits, thinking it is their only way to get peace and essential needs.
Urgent action is required to end unintended pregnancies including the prevention of teenage pregnancy
“We commend the work that UNFPA is doing in Rwanda to ensure that women & young people are able to access high-quality Sexual Reproductive Health services, including voluntary family planning so that they can make informed and voluntary choices. The Ministry of Gender and family promotion assures you of its full commitment to preventing unintended pregnancy including for teenagers” Stated Hon. Prof. Bayisenge Jeannette, Minister of Gender and Family planning at the Launch of the 2022 SWOP.
Pledge to end teen pregnancy in Rwanda
Different stakeholders who attended the official launch of the SWOP in Kigali pledged to help girls “carry books instead of babies”
Different stakeholders who attended the official launch of the SWOP in Kigali including the Minister of Health, Minister of Gender and Family Planning, Ambassador of Japan, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Ambassador of Sweden, Ambassador of the Republic of Congo &Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of civil society and NGOs pledged to help girls “carry books instead of babies,” so that no girl has to go through what hundreds of thousands of teenagers have gone through.
UNFPA took the lead in supporting the conduct of a comprehensive study on teenage pregnancies
“UNFPA commits to provide the seed funds for the comprehensive study and will reach out to Government line Ministries and development partners to work together to have a solid study,” Says Kwabena Asante-Ntiamoah.
Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Daniel Ngamije affirmed that Government of Rwanda and partners will conduct joint deep research to better assess and identify the root causes of teen pregnancy.
“We plan to conduct joint deep research through partnerships, in order to better assess and identify the root causes of teen pregnancy; we will continue to be close to young people and work with them, we need to change the policy and take action in order to find out more about reproductive health” affirmed Hon. Dr. Daniel Ngamije, Minister of Health.
