Rwanda National Police

The Mayor of Ngororero district Godefroid Ndayambaje has called for collective community efforts in combating teenage pregnancies and address the underlying issues that create unplanned child bearing.

He said community leaders and other opinion leaders need to be proactive in ending early marriages and teenage pregnancies in the district.

Mayor Ndayambaje noted that both girls and boys need   access to comprehensive reproductive health education and support to ensure that they thrive and become healthy adults.

He said; “Government is committed to the fight against teenage pregnancies and has been consistent in supporting efforts aimed at fighting social vices affecting the well-being of girls and women.”

He further challenged community leaders at grass root levels to step-up their involvement and noted that teen pregnancies interrupt schooling and a threat to child education.

“We need to ensure the girls are not distracted from completing their education to effectively contribute to national development,” said the mayor.

He was speaking during a community meeting in Ndaro sector to residents there where he also said that young women and girls should be guided to think about what they want for their lives, and to believe they can and should decide when it is time to have sex and start a family.

“There is evidence that women who wait until they are mature and prepared to have a baby have healthier outcomes for themselves and for their children.” noted the mayor.

 The meeting also noted that victims of sex violence or ignorance should not be stigmatized but supported by the community.

The meeting resolved to enhance activities that fight lawlessness by reporting perpetuators of defilement to police.