COVID 19: Ministries ready to deal with cases of Early pregnancies among young girls who must return to school

 

Rwanda’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion have revealed that they are concerned about the number of teenagers who will not be able to return to school due to the effects of COVID 19 which include early pregnancies among adolescent girls, forced marriages, child labour, among many others.

The concerns were raised on Sunday, 27 September 2020 on Flash FM talk show that focuses on the effects of COVID 19 on the Rwandan Society but especially on adolescent education.

Participants in this talk show which was organised as part of “GIRLS GO BACK TO SCHOOL” campaign were Mrs. Yvette Nyinawumuntu, Director of Save Generations Organization, Ministry of Education’s TUYISHIMIRE Frodouard, Director Health and HIV and UMUHIRE Christine, MIGEPROF’s Director of Family promotion and child protection Unit.

On the side of MINEDUC, Tuyishimire said that a rapid assessment by the Ministry of Education on the “Schools reopening plan” also identified the effects of COVID 19 as a worrying issue.

However, he noted that the Ministry has already set plan on how it will deal with the problems COVID 19 has caused to students through collaboration with various agencies including NGOs.

He explains that as part of the Schools Reopening Plan there are a lot to be done including: Back to School Campaign where they will provide materials to students who will not be able to access due to the loss of employments among  their parents, to assess how the children will return to School and to make follow up on those who will not be able to return, to conduct campaigns against adolescents’ pregnancies, school drop outs, campaigns against child labour and more.

The Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, on the other hand, urges parents to continue to take care of their children, especially adolescents’ girls, as they are the most vulnerable to the effects of COVID 19.

On the issue of impregnated underage girls during COVID 19, Umuhire Christine says, “The Ministry is not silent as there is a nationwide campaign to end sexual abuse”

Meanwhile, Umuhire explains that the study found that 77% of adolescents’ abusers are unmarried adults and young people.

“There is no accidental pregnancy among adolescents rather tricks that make them to fall into the trap of untimely pregnancy. That is why in the organized campaign we will bring in adolescent and show them the tricks that abusers so they can not be trapped.” She explains.

MIGEPROF insists that every parent should be aware of their child’s behaviour, and develop the culture of interacting with children about reproductive health as it is one of the good ways that will prevent him or her from falling into the traps of pregnancy or impregnating on the side teenage boys.

No Child to be denied right to back to school

Invitees in the talk show insist that no child should be denied the right to return to school because she was pregnant or gave birth. “Instead, these children will be supported to attend school in their capacities,” they said.

On the issue of family conflict, it has been suggested that all levels from the village level, parents should always be reminded to avoid family conflicts as they have negative impacts on children’s well-being.

The one-hour talk concluded with children and parents urged to continue to avoid COVID 19.