Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP), on April 6, extended the campaign against teenage pregnancy and early marriages to various schools in the country.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jean Louis Rurangwa, while speaking to about 300 students of Institute Technique Baptiste (ITB) located in Muhoza sector of Musanze District, said that teenage pregnancy is one of the challenges young girls face in their strive to a better future especially through education as most of them end up dropping out of school.

SSP Rurangwa also urged them to desist from all tendencies that may lure them into sexual malpractices and unwanted pregnancies, but rather concentrate on their studies to achieve a brighter future.

He reminded them that one of the things to lure boys and girls into sexual malpractices are illicit drugs, leading to unwanted or teenage pregnancies.

“Teenage pregnancy affects everyone; you the girl who is still under-age, your family, the community and the country in general. Even that boy responsible for the pregnancy and his family are affected since he’s not ready to be a father and to take care of you,” SSP Rurangwa told the students.

He also noted that child pregnancy or child marriage is a violation of child rights and criminal and those are prosecuted. He urged them to report families that force their children into early marriages.

SSP Rurangwa further explained that such unplanned pregnancies have sometimes resulted into abortion and infanticide, which are criminal in nature.

He also urged them to report drug dealers and always break silence whenever they witness or experience any sexual assault or whenever they feel their rights are abused.

Similar awareness activities were also conducted at Saint Robert – Ruhunda in Rwamagana District.