{"id":2140,"date":"2021-10-29T14:19:44","date_gmt":"2021-10-29T12:19:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lecanape.rw\/en\/?p=2140"},"modified":"2021-10-29T14:19:44","modified_gmt":"2021-10-29T12:19:44","slug":"dossier-the-challenge-of-unwanted-pregnancies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lecanape.rw\/en\/dossier-the-challenge-of-unwanted-pregnancies\/","title":{"rendered":"Dossier: The challenge of unwanted pregnancies"},"content":{"rendered":"

The key in the hands of young people<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

For some time, the problem of unwanted pregnancies among young people has become a headache for Rwandan society. They have been increasing over time. However, efforts to reduce them to a bare minimum are important.<\/p>\n

In 2016, unwanted pregnancies among adolescents amounted to 17,849.\u00a0 In 2017, there was a slight decrease. There were 17,337. The following year, 2018, the statistics reach 19,832. In 2019, the numbers soar. In the first half of the year alone, the figure had reached 15,656. Since then, unwanted pregnancies are no longer known in numbers.<\/p>\n

The highest number of unwanted pregnancies is recorded for girls aged 19.\u00a0\u00a0 They reach 15%. Most of the time, they come from rural areas and poor families.<\/p>\n

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Several initiatives have been taken to prevent unwanted pregnancies. This is Dr Eliphaz Karamage of RBC (Photo le Canap\u00e9)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When one tries to find out what has been done to help young people overcome this scourge, one is surprised at the work that has been done but which remains without much effect.<\/p>\n

According to Dr Eliphaz Karamage, in charge of adolescent health at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), several initiatives have been taken. Radio programs are regularly organized such as Urunama and Umurage. Two campaigns are planned each year in the country. Special meetings have been organized in all the universities of the country. The objective was to discuss reproductive health.<\/p>\n

Religious denominations are also sensitized on the social problems caused by unwanted pregnancies. The aim is to make them less rigid in the use of contraceptive methods.\u00a0 Condoms and other means of prevention against unwanted pregnancies are made available to adolescents in health centers…<\/p>\n

\"\"
Some of the participants at the conference on sexual and reproductive health and rights. (Photo le Canap\u00e9)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A national conference on sexual and reproductive health and rights<\/strong><\/p>\n

HDI organizes a conference of reproductive health stakeholders and service beneficiaries from 19 to 20 October. One hundred adolescent girls and boys are invited from all districts of the country.\u00a0\u00a0 The aim is to promote discussions between the two parties to make sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents accessible.<\/p>\n

For this non-governmental organization, the lack of information is at the root of the problem of unwanted teenage pregnancies.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf young adolescents are well informed, unwanted pregnancies will be greatly reduced. This is our belief,\u201d said Dr. Aphrodis Kagaba, Director of HDI. For Dr. Aphrodis Kagaba, teenagers who get pregnant must not make the same mistake again.<\/p>\n

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“Teenage girls who get knocked up must not make the same mistake again. Dr Aphrodis Kagaba (Photo le Canap\u00e9)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cBefore a teenage mother\u2019s first baby is weaned, she is already knocked up for the second time,\u201d said Dr. Aphrodis Kagaba, Director of HDI. \u201cThey are left to their own devices. Going back to school becomes almost impossible. Those who present themselves as \u2018benefactors\u2019 abuse them. They make them even more vulnerable,\u201d he raises his voice, frowning.<\/p>\n

Young people give ideas to break the deadlock<\/strong><\/p>\n

To everyone\u2019s surprise, the young people reveal the flaws in the adults\u2019 interventions. The health center would not be the ideal place to provide adolescent sexual and reproductive health services.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t we find another place to provide services?\u201d asks A\u00efsha Uwamahoro.\u00a0 This young teenager from Nyarugenge blames health centers for seeking to enter the private lives of adolescent girls.<\/p>\n

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Young people differ with adults on how to help them. (Photo le Canap\u00e9)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWhen we go to the health center, instead of meeting our needs, we are asked a lot of questions about our sex life,\u201d she says. \u201cSometimes we are told that we are still young to receive these services,\u201d she complains. \u201cWe come back empty-handed and risk getting pregnant,\u201d she reveals.<\/p>\n

For Sandrine Muhimpundu from Bugesera district, unwanted pregnancies are due to lack of information. She accuses parents of not accompanying their children through the physical and psychological changes. Sometimes teenage girls may indulge in sexual relations due to a lack of information. They sometimes give in to men\u2019s advances because of a lack of money.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdolescent girls should be given sufficient and reliable information,\u201d she suggests. \u201cWe should be taught to rely on our own strength to solve resource problems. We can be supported in creating small income-generating projects,\u201d she says.’<\/p>\n

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Adolescents’ participation was active. (Photo: le Canap\u00e9)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to Sandrine Muhimpundu, information on adolescent reproductive health should be given by their peers at youth centers. \u201cWe can feel free and express ourselves more openly,\u201d she says. \u201cEven at the health center, our peers can be more effective than adults.\u00a0 You just have to provide a space for young people where they can feel free,\u201d she insists on the need to keep adults away.<\/p>\n

HDI Champions prove effective<\/strong><\/p>\n

HDI Champions are young students trained by HDI. They benefit from knowledge about their rights and sexual and reproductive health. They are chosen from among the others for their active participation. Teta Kevine is one of the teenagers elected to support HDI in its role of being close to young people. She has been assisting her peers for four years. She shares her experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my school, among my friends, among my entourage, when there is a problem of sexual and reproductive health, I intervene to give the necessary advice,\u201d she reveals her role. \u201cWhen the question of my interlocutor seems difficult to me, I indicate to him\/her the 3530, a toll free,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

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“When young people talk to their peers, the message gets through better. Teta Kevine, HDI Champion. (Photo le Canap\u00e9)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI have already helped many young people. There are no less than 60 of them, and I don\u2019t take into account the young people I visit in schools. I am only talking about classmates, friends and young people in my church,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen young people talk to their peers, the message gets across better than between young people and adults. There is a sincere exchange,\u201d she concludes.<\/p>\n

G\u00e9rard Rugambwa<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The key in the hands of young people For some time, the problem of unwanted pregnancies among young people has become a headache for Rwandan society. They have been increasing over time. However, efforts to reduce them to a bare minimum are important. In 2016, unwanted pregnancies among adolescents amounted to 17,849.\u00a0 In 2017, there […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2141,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,37,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2140","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article","category-lifestyle","category-special-report"],"yoast_head":"\nDossier: The challenge of unwanted pregnancies - Le Canap\u00e9-English News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/lecanape.rw\/en\/dossier-the-challenge-of-unwanted-pregnancies\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Dossier: The challenge of unwanted pregnancies - Le Canap\u00e9-English News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The key in the hands of young people For some time, the problem of unwanted pregnancies among young people has become a headache for Rwandan society. 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