When an adolescent girl does not have access to Sexual and Reproductive health information and services, she is more likely to become pregnant early and drop out of school, affecting her right to education.
This is what happened to Imanizabayo, 20, a mother of a 3-year-old young Boy. During her awake period to pursue her dream, Imanizabayo was impregnated and gave birth to a young boy at the age of 16.
“I was a student, and during holidays, a man who was a friend and a neighbour asked me to visit him at his house. I went there and he raped me,” said Imanizabayo with tears in her eyes
“ After a few months, I realized I'm pregnant. Since then my life changed and I immediately dropped out of school.”
Before Imanazabayo got pregnant, she did not have enough information about her Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. She had never discussed it with her parents or her teachers at school.
“ Apart from knowing that I have my menstrual period every month, I had no information about my Sexual and Reproductive Health, I did not know how to behave around men” She confirms.
A few months after giving birth, Imanizabayo was encouraged to join a group of other first-time young mothers in her village initiated through the Urujeni project, One of the iAccelerator phase 3 winners.
Within that group, teenage mothers are provided with Sexual and Reproductive Health information and services and are supported to realize their dreams after going through hard times.
“Having access to the right information about sexual and reproductive health and rights has helped me to make informed decisions. I now know what is right and what is wrong. I know what can improve my life and what can ruin it.’’
“I benefited a lot from the Urujeni project. Apart from reconciling with my parents, I have also made the right decision to go back to school. I’m confident that I will realize my dreams.” Said Imanizabayo, who is now in senior/level 3 secondary school.
Imanizabayo is now a student in level 3 at Groupe Scolaire Rusumo in the Kirehe district of the Western province of Rwanda. Photo Urujeni Project/2022
Sexual and reproductive health and rights are part of a continuum of human rights. It is not only an integral part of the right to health; it is fundamentally aligned to the enjoyment of many other human rights, including the rights to life, health and education, the rights to equality and non-discrimination etc.
Advancing the rights of young people through the provision of adolescent and youth-friendly health information, services and life skills is a strong pillar of the country's development. To contribute to that goal, UNFPA works to empower adolescents and Youth in Rwanda to realize their human right to equality, sexual and reproductive health and freedom from violence and discrimination.
