A new campaign was launched in Muhanga District on Thursday, October 8, to raise awareness about sexual and reproductive health among young people, particularly teenagers, and encourage parents and communities to educate them about responsible behaviour during adolescence. The campaign by Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB) and the National Union of Disability Organisations of Rwanda (NUDOR) seeks to protect young people from risks associated with a lack of reproductive health information, including unintended pregnancies and sexual violence. It also calls on parents and community members to take responsibility for educating children about their bodies, relationships and reproductive health. The campaign is part of the Beyond Boundaries project, implemented by RUB in partnership with NUDOR. The project works with girls who gave birth before the age of 18 and those who experienced rape. The project is running from 2026 to 2028. The event featured a theatrical performance illustrating how a lack of communication between parents and children about reproductive health can contribute to unintended pregnancies. Participants also took part in an interactive question-and-answer session on reproductive health. Supporting victims of sexual violence Jeanne d'Arc Hyguiette Nsabimana, a project officer at RUB, said the initiative would help girls understand reproductive health while supporting those who have experienced sexual violence to seek justice and recover from the trauma. “We help rape victims to get justice. We work with different institutions, including the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Isange One Stop Centre and local authorities, with the ambition of eradicating teenage pregnancies,” she said. The project also helps GBV survivors with transport costs when they need to follow up on their cases or file complaints with the relevant authorities. ALSO READ: Teen pregnancy rises to 8% as experts warn of growing risks Parents urged to take responsibility Marie Louise Manirakiza, coordinator of the Beyond Boundaries project, said parents should take the lead in teaching young people appropriate behaviour and following up on their daily lives. She urged parents to know how their children spend their days and nights, with whom they associate, and whether they are experiencing changes in their bodies or behaviour as they enter adolescence. According to her, parents should recognise these changes early and provide appropriate guidance before young people become exposed to risks. She noted that adolescence is a critical stage when young people need accurate reproductive health information to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancies and other risks that could affect their futures. Without proper guidance, children may get pregnant and drop out of school, while others may face further dangers after receiving misleading information from their peers, she said She also acknowledged that cultural norms can sometimes make it difficult for parents to discuss reproductive health openly with their children. However, she called on families to overcome this barrier and provide young people with the information they need to make informed decisions.
