RUSAGARA MUVUNANKIKO Valens
More than 2,000 young people gathered at the Kigali Convention Centre for the National Youth Forum on accelerating efforts to prevent and eliminate teenage pregnancies, with government leaders, development partners and youth advocates urging families and communities to play a greater role in protecting children.
The forum also officially launched a facilitator’s guide designed to promote a culture of dialogue within families as part of efforts to prevent teenage pregnancies and child sexual abuse.
Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Consolée Uwimana, said this year’s theme highlights the importance of family conversations, quality parenting and values-based education in helping young people make responsible decisions.
She warned that Rwanda continues to record nearly 23,000 teenage pregnancies every year, describing the figure as alarming.
“Ni ukuvuga ko buri mwaka tugira Umurenge ubyawe n’abangavu. Abana twabonye ko bafite ibyago byinshi byo gupfa bavuka, bafite ibyago byinshi byo kugwingira.”
Uwimana stressed that child defilement is not only a concern for victims and their families but for the entire society.
“Nta mwana ukwiye kwamburwa uburenganzira bwo gukura neza no kugera ku nzozi ze, kubera iki cyaha.”
She added that parents remain the first line of protection for children.
“Babyeyi, nta politiki, nta mategeko, nta gahunda, nta n’urwego byasumba uruhare rwacu mu kurera abana. Umwana urinzwe neza ni uwitabwaho, uganirizwa, wisanzura ntatinye kubwira umurera ikibazo ahuye na cyo cyose.”
Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana said keeping girls in school through secondary education, expanding access to reproductive health services and strengthening family dialogue are among the most effective ways to reduce teenage pregnancies.
“Ibintu bya kirazira ngo ‘ntibivugwa ariko ugasanga hakozwe ibyangiza’ tugomba kubisiga inyuma.”
He also encouraged young people to make responsible choices despite the challenges they face.
“Ikintu kizagufasha nk’urubyiruko kwambuka cya kiraro, kizaturuka mu byemezo byawe bwite, imyitwarire, imigirire n’imikorere yawe nk’umuntu, mu kwihangana uzagira mu bibazo uzacamo bitandukanye.”
According to the Ministry of Health, Rwanda records more than 23,000 teenage pregnancies each year, equivalent to about 60 girls becoming pregnant every day. The ministry also says the teenage pregnancy rate increased from 5% in 2020 to 8% in 2025.
Health officials warned that adolescent mothers face a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications, while babies born to teenage mothers are more likely to be born prematurely or suffer from stunting.
The forum also heard from representatives of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), the University of Rwanda, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and journalists, who emphasized the need for accurate information, responsible use of technology, stronger reporting of abuse cases and continued community involvement.
Speaking at the event, Imbuto Foundation Director General Elodie Shami said preventing teenage pregnancies is a shared responsibility and encouraged young people to seek reliable information, especially in the digital age.
The forum was also attended by First Lady Jeannette Kagame, reaffirming Rwanda’s commitment to strengthening family dialogue and protecting children from sexual violence and teenage pregnancy
