Rwanda’s Maternal and Child Health Week: A United Drive for Zero Stunting and Family Health

The Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) and the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), in collaboration with esteemed partners, have officially launched the Integrated Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Week, running from January 13th to 17th, 2025.

This significant campaign kicked off in the Gikomero sector of Gasabo District and will span the entire country, uniting stakeholders under the inspiring theme, “Zero Stunting: Integrated Care for Healthy Families.” The initiative underscores Rwanda’s commitment to enhancing the well-being of its population, particularly mothers and children, through comprehensive health interventions.

Throughout the week, a series of activities will focus on raising awareness and improving access to essential maternal and child health services. These efforts include promoting antenatal care, addressing child stunting and malnutrition, advocating for malaria prevention, and emphasizing sanitation, hygiene, and teenage pregnancy prevention. By integrating health education and service delivery, the campaign aims to foster healthier families and contribute to Rwanda’s broader goal of achieving zero stunting nationwide.

The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Consolee UWIMANA, emphasized that raising a child is a shared journey that both parents undertake.

“Raising a child requires both parents, husband and wife, as a child belongs to the family and should not be given to a single parent,” she said.

Minister Uwimana highlighted the need for improved family nutrition despite progress in reducing child and maternal mortality. She stressed that family conflicts negatively impact children’s well-being, urging parents to promote gender equality and practice family planning. “You cannot fight and then remember to feed a child or even follow up on their education,” she said.

She emphasized the need for ongoing activities against stunting, urging them to become a habit in everyday life and be done regularly.

Moreover, Uwimana insisted that enhancing maternal and child health strengthens Rwanda’s ongoing healthcare advancements.

Dr. François Regis Cyiza, Director of Child and Maternal Health Programs and community Health Division at Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), stated that this campaign week will focus on changing parents’ attitudes towards nutritious food to tackle child stunting. He emphasized, “The focus is on changing parents’ attitudes because we identified that many parents can achieve a full diet for their children through family work, thereby enhancing the overall family’s nutritional capabilities.”

He highlighted Rwanda’s strides in health, particularly in tackling stunting and improving maternal and child health. He noted, “Stunting trends have reduced from 38% in 2022 to 33% today, with a goal of 15% within five years as outlined in the 2nd National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).”

According to the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS), progress is notable, with fertility rates dropping from 6.1 to 3.6 (2022) and under-five mortality decreasing from 76 (2010) to 45 (2020). Life expectancy has also surged, from 51 in 2002 to 69.6 years by 2022. Despite this, stunting rates remain above the African average (30.7%), though they’ve declined significantly—from 51% in 2005 to 33% in 2020.

Efforts to improve prenatal care have raised pregnancy test rates to 96%, yet challenges persist. Only 50% of women take their first test on time, and just 47% complete the recommended four tests, short of the 90% target.

Dr. Cyiza emphasized the importance of data-driven interventions, saying, “We will use the campaign to collect data on stunting for direct intervention, addressing individual cases for maximum impact.” These efforts underscore Rwanda’s commitment to achieving transformative health outcomes.

Ana Bodipo-Mbuyamba, USAID Rwanda and Burundi’s Action Mission Director, highlighted the significance of Integrated Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Week as a testament to Rwanda’s progress in maternal and child health.

She stated, “Together, we have made tremendous strides and will do more to ensure no mother or child dies from preventable causes.”

She praised health workers for their dedication and outlined USAID’s contributions, including combating stunting, malaria prevention, family planning, and health worker training. She reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to Rwanda’s goal of better health outcomes for mothers, newborns, and children.

Renata Tallarico, Deputy Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Rwanda, highlighted the Integrated Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Week as a testament to Rwanda’s commitment to health, aligned with the theme “Zero Stunting: Integrated Care for a Healthy Family.”

She emphasized that the UN supports Rwanda’s health priorities under SDG 3 and HSSP 5. Examples include UNFPA’s MobiMenta program for midwife training, UNICEF’s anti-stunting efforts, and WHO’s focus on maternal and child health.

Rwanda has achieved remarkable progress, such as reducing fertility rates and child mortality, though stunting remains a challenge. “While we celebrate progress, we must address remaining challenges,” she concluded.