Muhanga families urged to strengthen child protection against abuse

Families and communities in Muhanga District have been urged to take greater responsibility for protecting children against sexual abuse, neglect and teenage pregnancies, with officials warning that inadequate parental care leaves young people vulnerable to exploitation.

The call was made during a meeting held on November 3, 2026, which brought together officials from different sectors to discuss child abuse, teenage pregnancies and support for vulnerable young people.

The meeting was organised by the Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB) under the Beyond Boundaries project, which supports vulnerable young people, including teenage mothers, survivors of sexual abuse and persons with disabilities.

Samuel Kamangu, Muhanga District’s Disability Mainstreaming Officer, said family neglect and conflicts were among the factors contributing to teenage pregnancies and exposing children to abuse.

He urged parents to pay closer attention to their children’s daily activities, provide for their basic needs and communicate openly with them about adolescence and sexual and reproductive health.

“Parents should talk to their children about sexual and reproductive health, explain the physical changes that occur as they grow up and help them understand the risks they may face if they do not take care of themselves,” Kamangu said.

He also called on residents to report cases of sexual abuse promptly so that survivors can access support and perpetrators can be brought to justice.

He encouraged survivors and their families to seek assistance from Isange One Stop Centres and the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), emphasising the importance of reporting cases while evidence is still available.

Kamangu further warned that children with disabilities face particular risks of sexual abuse, especially girls with intellectual disabilities and those who experience communication barriers because of hearing, speech or visual impairments.

He said some survivors struggle to identify or report those responsible for abusing them, making community vigilance and timely reporting essential.

Family neglect leaves children vulnerable

Assoumpta Yakaragiye, Social Development Officer in Nyarusange Sector, said family neglect and conflicts were among the factors contributing to the high number of teenage pregnancies in the sector.

She said Nyarusange was selected for the RUB intervention because of the high number of teenage girls who had become mothers, making it an important area for programmes targeting vulnerable young people.

According to Yakaragiye, Nyarusange had recorded 155 teenage pregnancies in previous years, making it the sector with the highest number among Muhanga District’s 12 sectors. The situation prompted the introduction of interventions targeting vulnerable girls and teenage mothers in the area.

She attributed the high number partly to parental neglect and conflicts within families, saying some parents were preoccupied with their own disputes and paid little attention to their children’s welfare

Yakaragiye urged parents to monitor their children’s daily lives, including whether they attend school and return home safely, while ensuring they have the basic necessities required for their education.

She warned that children who lack adequate support at home may become vulnerable to people who exploit their needs by offering them things their families cannot provide.

She also highlighted progress made through the project, saying teenage mothers who had previously experienced rejection and stigma were gradually rebuilding relationships with their families.

“Beyond Boundaries project had helped bring teenage mothers together, organise them into groups and engage their families in discussions aimed at improving their welfare,” Yakaragiye said.

She added, “The initiative had also supported survivors of abuse and helped some families understand that girls who become mothers while still young can rebuild their lives and pursue better opportunities.”

Some had suffered psychological distress and lost their sense of belonging after becoming mothers while still underage. However, discussions involving the girls and their parents had helped restore family relationships.

Yakaragiye said the sector had not observed additional pregnancies among the girls participating in the supported groups, although teenage pregnancy remained a concern.

Supporting survivors and teenage mothers

Jeanne d’Arc Hyguette Nsabimana, a project officer for Beyond Boundaries and a RUB staff member, said the initiative targets girls who became mothers before the age of 18 and young women who have experienced sexual abuse.

The project, titled Beyond Boundaries: Reclaiming the Sexuality of Vulnerable Young Persons in Rwanda, began in 2026 and is expected to run until 2028.

It is funded by AmplifyChange and implemented by five organisations under the coordination of the National Union of Disability Organizations in Rwanda (NUDOR).

The initiative operates in five districts, with RUB responsible for implementation in Muhanga District, particularly in Nyarusange Sector.

Its overall objective is to empower young people facing multiple vulnerabilities, including those with disabilities, by providing them with the knowledge, resources and support needed to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

The project also seeks to improve comprehensive sexuality education in schools and communities, strengthen young people’s ability to make informed decisions about their bodies and improve access to inclusive, youth-friendly services.

Its activities include community awareness campaigns, discussions bringing together parents and young people, and sessions where teenage mothers and survivors of gender-based violence share their experiences to help other young people understand the consequences of sexual abuse and risky behaviour.

Nsabimana said the project also helps survivors access justice and the support services they need.

Through these interventions, RUB and its partners are seeking to strengthen family and community involvement in protecting vulnerable children, preventing abuse and ensuring that young people, including those with disabilities, can access the support they need.

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