English
Kinyarwanda
Over 5500 residents of Bigogwe Sector in Nyabihu District have made new commitments that are geared towards proper parenting as well as protecting teenagers from unwanted pregnancies.
They made the commitment during a recent meeting that was led by Nyabihu District Police Commander Senior Superintendent (SSP) Emmanuel Kayumba where residents worked with police to tackle root causes of some crimes in the area as well as collectively address issues related to unwanted pregnancies among teenagers.
SSP Kayumba reminded residents that it’s a criminal offence to impregnate a girl who is below the age of consent – 18 years and that there are stringent laws punishing that.
He further told residents that, “adolescent pregnancy is a call for action to everyone, from adolescent girls and boys, teachers and parents.”
He however pointed out that, to find a durable solution, there is need for concerted efforts from all stakeholders and that’s why police is reaching out to parent so that could come on board in standing up against unwanted pregnancies.
Teenage pregnancies have a negative impact on the development of the country. They expose teens to the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, as well as death as many of them, out of desperation, resort to unsafe abortion.
The DPC urged parents and teachers who were attending the meeting to empower girls with knowledge about dangers of unwanted pregnancies, be it to their health, the society or the child they may conceive.
“Usually the pregnant girl drops out of school and is faced with different hardships while the one responsible continues with his life; this is why we need to join efforts and protect the girl child that could be subjected to such hardships,” SSP Kayumba said.
The DPC also ceased the opportunity to call on residents to stand up against drug abuse and trafficking saying that such drugs are usually connected to several crimes including cases of unwanted adolescent pregnancies and other crimes.
Residents who attended the meeting announced their commitment of coming up with measures of protecting a girl child from any harm including unwanted pregnancies.
