Berwa’s (not her real name) journey to motherhood began with a 50 kilogramme gas cylinder in Mayange Sector, Bugesera District. In September 2023, after failing to lift the heavy cylinder into the house as instructed by her mother, the 18-year-old was chased from home late in the evening. With nowhere to go, she accepted a young man’s offer of shelter, a decision that resulted in an unplanned pregnancy. Berwa’s experience reflects a broader national trend. The 2025 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) shows that teenage pregnancies among girls aged 15 to 19 have risen to 8 per cent, up from 5 per cent in 2020. The Minister of Health Dr Sabin Nsanzimana described the findings as a “call to action,” identifying the surge as one of the critical areas requiring urgent national attention. ALSO READ: What stood out in Rwanda’s latest health survey “Many of us fall into this because we are looking for affection and end up being manipulated,” she narrates, explaining that men often lie about their intentions, promising marriage just to get sex, only to disappear once a pregnancy occurs. Berwa notes that the problem often begins with a lack of harmony at home, where domestic violence pushes girls into unplanned pregnancies. Alphonsine Mujawamariya, a mother of four who also lives in Mayange, witnesses this reality daily. She observes that each year, the number of young girls carrying toddlers or infants in her community continues to rise. She identifies poverty as a major driver, noting that girls who drop out of school because their parents cannot afford school fees become vulnerable to men who offer money or clothes. “The aftermath is heartbreaking,” Mujawamariya said. “Often, the man disappears, leaving the girl with nothing, not even a wrap or a towel for the baby.” She adds that many of these girls end up begging, while their children frequently suffer from malnutrition because families lack the resources to provide for them. Mujawamariya believes parents must stop shaming or chasing away pregnant daughters, as this only worsens an already difficult situation. She maintains that the government should provide grassroots mentorship for families. She insists that while pursuing fathers for child support is important, the real solution lies in training parents to support their children’s return to a dignified life. ‘Rising teen pregnancy matter of emergency’ Evariste Murwanashyaka, Head of Programmes at Collectif des Ligues et Association de Défense des Droits de l'Homme au Rwanda (CLADHO), a human rights non-profit organization, views these rising numbers as a national emergency and says should be treated as epidemic. ALSO READ: Lawmaker says teenage pregnancies should be treated as ‘epidemic’ He warns that the consequences are far-reaching, including increased childhood malnutrition and heightened domestic conflict. Murwanashyaka notes that the growing wave of school dropouts is not merely an individual problem but one with serious implications for the national economy. “The rising numbers are more than just a statistic; they are an urgent call to the entire nation,” he said, calling for a high-level national dialogue to forge a unified response. He stressed that Rwanda must move beyond routine interventions and adopt a more aggressive strategy grounded in in-depth research into the root causes. He added that awareness campaigns are needed to encourage families to report abusers, warning that when perpetrators are protected by communities, they feel emboldened to continue their crimes, often normalising abuse in the process. ALSO READ: Local govt leaders on spot over ‘inaction’ on teenage pregnancies According to Aflodis Kagaba, Executive Director of Health Development Initiatives (HDI), while the increase from 5 to 8 per cent may not appear dramatic to some, it clearly indicates that existing prevention measures are falling short. He identified limited access to information, poverty and religious stigma as the main barriers preventing young people from seeking the support they need. Kagaba also welcomed recent legislative reforms, noting that a newly enacted law allows minors aged 15 and above to access reproductive health services without parental consent. “The good news now is that the young can ask for services,” Kagaba said, believing this as a game-changer for informed decision-making and preventing unwanted pregnancies. Kagaba explained that the new law will allow youth to meet with trained medical professionals who can provide accurate information. He stressed that the strategy must also include engaging boys, who need to understand the stakes of unprotected sex, including the risk of HIV and the long-term impact on the Rwandan family unit.
