Celebration of Day of the African Child in Rwanda

Gasabo, Rwanda

Honourable Minister of Gender and Family Promotion

Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Children

National Coordinator of NECDP

Mayor of Gasabo District

DG of Imbuto Foundation

Representatives from multiple government institutions

Other distinguished guests

Dear children and families

On behalf of the One UN in Rwanda and our partners, it is my pleasure to join you today as we celebrate the Day of the African Child.

This year’s theme – standing up against teenage pregnancy – resonates well with the UN’s work here in Rwanda. We are committed to helping all young people grow up healthy, so they can fulfil their potential and live their best lives.  

Unfortunately, many adolescent girls are denied these opportunities when they have children in their teen years, a time when these mothers are still children themselves.

Teenage mothers are at risk of sexually transmitted diseases, cervical cancer, and giving birth prematurely. Children of teenage mothers are more likely to be malnourished. Teenage motherhood also causes girls to drop out of school, creating gender imbalances in education and preventing girls from accessing opportunities. Girls can experience psychological trauma, as teen pregnancy is often attached to stigma or results from sexual violence.

As the UN celebrated the International Day of Parents at the beginning of this month, we also recognize that these young mothers deserve all the support we can offer. Although preventing teen pregnancy is important, we cannot afford to ignore those who have already given birth.

To respond to teen pregnancy, the UN works with partners like the Gender Monitoring Office to spread awareness in communities. We work with the Rwanda Bar Association to increase legal assistance for victims of violence. We partner with the National Police and justice sector to connect victims with reporting mechanisms.

The UN also works with the Ministry of Health to connect young people with sexual and reproductive health services and information, and we work with the Ministry of Education to include this information in national curricula.  We help establish savings and loans groups for young mothers, helping build economic empowerment and safe spaces where girls can connect with their peers.

The Government of Rwanda has demonstrated its commitment to advancing children’s rights, which includes young children and the teenage mothers who are raising young children. Important evidence has been generated to help strategize a response to the issue of teen pregnancy, such as the Violence against Children and Youth Survey and the National Youth Report, both launched in 2018.

Together we are committed to upholding important treaties like the Convention on the Rights of the Child. We strive to give children a voice to participate in their own development, and in the development of the communities which support them.

Although a lot has been done for Rwanda’s young mothers, there is still a long road ahead. I would like to call on all development partners, religious institutions, the public and private sectors, and especially parents and families, to continue fighting for children’s rights, especially vulnerable children like teen mothers.

Responding to teen pregnancy requires understanding the root causes. Prevention must include ending violence, stopping school drop-outs, addressing social and gender norms, providing access to sexual and reproductive health information, and more.

We commend the Government’s multi-sectoral response to teenage pregnancy. I am happy to hear that several districts have already developed strategies to address teen pregnancy and support girls’ empowerment. MIGEPROF has also initiated gender-based violence clinics in districts, which brings mobile health, protection and reporting services closer to the girls who need them.

The One UN applauds the Government’s vision to keep children at the forefront of its development agenda. Let us continue our strong partnership to prevent young girls from getting pregnant, while we work together to provide opportunities for those who have already given birth. And we must involve young people in the policies and programmes that affect their lives.

Thank you.