I have a dear friend who is autistic. One day, she left her house with a stranger, and for 15 days, we couldn't locate her. When she finally returned, her family took her for medical tests, which revealed that she had been a victim of rape. We desperately sought justice, but it was impossible since she couldn't testify or identify her rapist and kidnapper. This testimony was shared by a courageous woman from Kenya during a session called Prevention, Support, and Accountability: Combating Sexual Violence in West Africa at the recently-concluded Women Deliver Conference in Kigali. Sadly, this young woman fell prey to someone who should have been her protector. Cases like these occur in every country, and even more distressing is the fact that they happen to minors as well. As both a mother and a lawyer, it is incidents like these that motivated me to establish the Center for Justice and Advocacy within Certa Foundation which is fully dedicated to assisting minors, particularly those with disabilities, who find themselves pregnant without the means to care for their children. In the ongoing fight for women's rights, the plight of teenage mothers often goes unnoticed. Despite the significant progress made by Rwanda's government in supporting women, teenage pregnancies remain an incredibly sensitive and taboo subject, particularly because many of these pregnancies result from rape. When teenage girls become pregnant, they are frequently abandoned by society, and even their own families no longer wish to be associated with them. Bereft of their support systems, studies have shown that these vulnerable young women face dire financial circumstances and often resort to informal work that exposes them to further exploitation and abuse. Recognizing the severity of this situation, the Certa Foundation has taken it upon itself to intervene because we firmly believe that pregnancy should not signal the end of a minor's dreams and aspirations. The Certa Foundation understands that supporting teenage mothers necessitates more than just legal aid. With a majority of women in our organization, we address the holistic needs of these young women by providing psycho-social, medical, economic empowerment, and legal support. We consider every aspect of their lives, ensuring they receive comprehensive assistance to overcome their challenges and rebuild their lives. Devoted lawyers stationed across the provinces most affected by this issue offer pro bono legal representation to teenage mothers. Furthermore, the foundation actively engages in advocacy and training initiatives to raise awareness and combat harmful cultural practices. Recognizing the importance of financial independence, the Certa Foundation assists these young mothers in enrolling in vocational schools (TVETs), where they can acquire valuable skills in tailoring, baking, and soap-making. As a testament to our unwavering commitment, the foundation is launching a new project to secure scholarships, encouraging these teenage mothers to pursue their studies. Equally crucial, the foundation educates these young mothers about their rights, empowering them to demand the respect and support they deserve. Certa envisions a transformative and restorative process, aiming to empower these mothers to become self-sufficient professionals in various fields. Through our pursuit of justice and empowerment, we ensure that no teenage mother's dreams are overshadowed by their circumstances. Furthermore, our foundation not only assists and supports teenage mothers but also offers mentorship to aspiring lawyers. We provide them with space and exposure to the legal world, particularly in areas where Africa lacks expertise, such as tech law, environmental law and sports law among others. The Certa Foundation's goal is to make a positive impact on the lives of teenage mothers, especially those living with disabilities, and to empower the next generation of lawyers. With a shared vision of dignity, opportunity, and success, the Certa Foundation, with the help from our numerous partners, aims to serve as a guiding light for these young Rwandans, inspiring hope for a brighter future and fostering a society that values and supports all its members. Florida Kabasinga. Attorney and Certa Foundation Executive Director
