New guide set to tackle ‘hard talk’ between parents and adolescents

A new Parent–Adolescent Communication (PAC) Training Guide is set to be rolled out early next year after being validated by key stakeholders on December 16. The guide aims to strengthen sexual and reproductive health education for adolescents and young people. Developed by Imbuto Foundation in collaboration with health experts and partners such as Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), the guide is intended for trainers who work with parents and young people in both school and community settings. It brings together previously separate materials into a single, comprehensive reference, offering structured guidance on how to discuss sensitive health topics effectively. ALSO READ: Celebrating adolescent health rights: A landmark step for Rwanda Eric Kayiranga, Programme Specialist in the Health Division at Imbuto Foundation, said the guide is divided into four parts, covering adolescent health and sexual and reproductive health from conception through young adulthood. “While the main target group is adolescents aged 10 to 24, it also includes relevant information for children under 10 to ensure parents are equipped with knowledge before their children reach adolescence,” he explained. Different PAC content has been implemented in Rwanda since 2010, but this is the first time all content has been combined into a detailed trainer’s guide. Kayiranga added that the guide supports trainers to deliver sessions in a structured manner across schools, out-of-school programmes, and other community settings. ALSO READ: Navigating the complexities of adolescents’ mental health François Régis Cyiza, Director of Child and Maternal Health Programmes at RBC, said the guide addresses longstanding gaps in sexual and reproductive health communication. “It helps parents and educators guide adolescents through key stages, including puberty and understanding the reproductive system, while promoting behaviours that prevent teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV,” he said. ALSO READ: What will it take for Rwanda to rein in the teenage pregnancy menace? Cyiza also highlighted that cultural and communication barriers have historically limited discussions between parents and adolescents. “Many parents have information but don’t know how to approach their children. The guide provides a pathway to support young people as they transition to adulthood.” Stakeholders say the guide is expected to improve knowledge, communication, and health outcomes for adolescents nationwide once officially launched. According to Elyse Ntivunwa, Community Outreach Manager at Save Generations Organisation, an NGO that promotes the rights of women and children, the guide includes lessons for both children and parents and is designed to help families navigate the changes adolescents experience during puberty while fostering understanding and reducing judgment. “Challenges still exist, and sometimes parents, instead of observing the changes their children are going through, tend to judge them,” he said.

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New guide set to tackle ‘hard talk’ between parents and adolescents