90% of Rwanda’s population lives in rural areas which leaves them frequently without basic health services. There is especially very little access to information on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) for women and adolescents. Lack of these services can lead to consequences such as early age pregnancy, STI and HIV infection and unsafe abortions.
Vicaire Nyamwasa – A secondary teacher in Nyaruguru District says:
Vicaire confirms that his students have no opportunity to discuss SRH issues. “At home SRH issues are a taboo while at school such discussions are limited to science classes/lessons such as biology. Even when they are discussed in class, the time is very limited and classroom materials are only delivered according to lesson plans and schemes of work following the national curriculum”.
Working in collaboration with Irish Aid and local communities the project has improved the sexual and reproductive health of women and adolescents in rural Rwanda by:
- Increasing levels of knowledge and expanding the availability of information resources for SRH
- Training community health workers to specialise in SRH and raising awareness about the importance of providing these services
- Improving health facilities which can cater for SRH
- Training key individuals to become advocates for SRH and to influence changes in policy and practice regarding SRH issues
- Using media and theatre as an alternative method to discuss SRH issues
- Working with adolescent clubs and community networks to build the capacity of groups to discuss SRH issues affecting them and advocate for policy change within the local Ministry of Health
Health Poverty Action’s projects work to empower women and adolescents to encourage behavioural change and to give them the opportunity to discuss these topics where it would have previously been taboo. By removing the stigma attached to SRH more young people now feel confident to access the SRH services that are available.
How has it helped?
- The percentage of adolescents attending clinics for SRH services increased from 43% to 87%.
- Seven health centres now provide SRH services to women and adolescents
- The percentage of youth who reported being satisfied with SRH services went from 10% to 100%
- 99% of adolescents now feel they can make decisions about their sexual health
Read more from our project participants
Felix Rugigana aged 17
“We are lucky that our health centres now understand our needs and concerns. I walk in a health centre and I am listened too. Even receptionists are calm to me and this enabled me to open up freely. The Health Poverty Action project has influenced the way health centre staff think about adolescents and young people. They give us privacy and promise confidentiality; before they would even tell your parents or teachers”.
Euphrasie Uwimana aged 16
“In the past I used to fear asking my parents issues regarding sexuality because they would never tell me the right answers. I was also very shy. Now I get this information from radio, community theatre, and secondary health posts and at school. The project has increased my confidence to seek sexual and reproductive health services”.
Male Adult Support Group Member
“When we talk to our neighbours about the need to freely talk to their children, the response is very positive. We have now made our plan to always introduce SRH issues during the Saturday community work meetings that target cleanliness and development in our village”.
Last modified: 30/11/2011
