MPs urge NUR students on reproductive health

Southern Province HUYE — Members of the lower chamber of parliament on Wednesday urged students of the National University of Rwanda (NUR) to live responsibly by abstaining from premarital sex and to insist on condom use where necessary. MPs Jean-Damascene Ntawukuriryayo, the vice president of the lower chamber of Parliament and legislator Liberata Kayitesi made the call while making a presentation to the student community on population growth and its impact on the country’s development. Ntawukuriryayo observed that population growth might be a catalyst or a hindrance to the development of a country. “An educated and healthy population can boost a country’s development. Such a population also has the capacity to provide for their basic needs such as food, clothing, accommodation and other provisions,” he said. During the presentation, the two legislators warned against shunning the use of condoms and other modern contraceptive methods. The lawmakers further warned that the population growth is projected to hit 21 million by the year 2035 if measures are not taken to curb the upward trend. As such Ntawukuriryayo called upon university students to spearhead the family planning sensitisation campaigns. “Parliament cannot enact a law limiting the number of children a family has to produce. All we have to do is to sensitise the public on the inconvenience big families pose,” he said. Ntawukuriryayo further urged the students to lead exemplary lives because they are regarded as role models in their communities. On her part Kayitesi advised students to be responsible and to always consider the consequences that might arise from promiscuous behavior. She also said that condom use should be considered when abstinence has failed. Moise Rugina, a student, noted that some students are still ignorant about condom use. “There is a great need to sensitize students on condom use through continuous campaigns and presentations on HIV/Aids and on other reproductive health issues,” Rugina said. Ends