MDFC was part of the sensitization meeting on advocating for adolescents’ access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services. Organized by IMRO Rwanda, the meeting brought together representatives from community-based organizations (CBOs), youth-led organizations (YLOs), and women-led organizations (WLOs). The event focused on addressing key adolescent SRH needs and discussing the role of advocacy in enhancing access to SRH services for adolescents in Rwanda. The meeting served as a follow-up to prior discussions and emphasized that participants are “agents of change” in the fight for adolescent SRH rights.
Objective of the Meeting: The primary objective of the meeting was to strengthen advocacy efforts for adolescents’ access to SRH services by engaging key stakeholders. Specific objectives included raising awareness about the importance of SRH information and services for adolescents, enhancing participants’ capacity to advocate for improved policies and programs, strengthening the network of CBOs, YLOs, and WLOs advocating for adolescent SRH rights, and identifying focal points to lead continued advocacy efforts.
Key Discussions and Takeaway:
HIV Statistics & the Need for Urgent Action. The meeting opened with a focus on the rising number of HIV infections among adolescents. Participants emphasized the urgent need for targeted HIV prevention and education programs, which would focus on behavior change, sexual health education, and consistent access to prevention methods. The group agreed that addressing this issue should be a key priority for SRH advocacy.
Contraception & Parental Involvement. The discussion on contraception highlighted the important role of parents in educating their children about SRH. However, cultural taboos and misinformation surrounding contraception presented significant challenges. Participants acknowledged the need for open dialogue and better education to overcome these barriers, with particular emphasis on encouraging parental involvement in discussions about contraception.
Safe Abortion & Legal Aspects. The legal framework surrounding safe abortion in Rwanda was reviewed, with a focus on the current laws and the advocacy required to raise awareness and promote legal reforms. Participants agreed that one of the key priorities was to improve education about existing safe abortion policies and ensure that they are understood and applied effectively.
Lack of Cooperation Between Health Authorities. A significant point of discussion was the gap in coordination between health institutions, which often led to inconsistent access to SRH services. There was a call for improved multi-sectoral collaboration, ensuring that services are streamlined and that adolescents can access the information and care they need without unnecessary barriers.
New Law Governing Health Services in Rwanda. The new health services law in Rwanda was discussed, particularly its implications for adolescent SRH. Participants acknowledged the importance of ongoing engagement with policymakers to ensure that adolescent-friendly policies are prioritized and implemented effectively across the country.
Capacity-Building Plan for Sustainable Advocacy. The idea of establishing continuous capacity-building sessions for adolescent SRH advocacy was proposed. Participants discussed the need to establish focal points for this advocacy to ensure that efforts are sustained over time. This would include regular training for stakeholders, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to advocate effectively for adolescent SRH rights.
Recommendations: The meeting concluded with several important recommendations to enhance adolescent SRH advocacy: Participants suggested conducting sensitization campaigns to involve parents and community leaders in adolescent SRH advocacy. This would help overcome cultural barriers and create a more supportive environment for adolescent sexual health education.
It was recommended that advocates push for improved coordination between health institutions to streamline SRH service delivery for adolescents, ensuring consistent and accessible care across the country. There was a call for training sessions to educate stakeholders on Rwanda’s legal provisions regarding safe abortion. This would help increase awareness and improve the understanding of rights and procedures among both the general public and healthcare providers.
Participants advocated for the integration of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in both schools and community programs. This education would provide adolescents with accurate and essential information about their bodies, health, and rights. A key recommendation was the development of ongoing advocacy training programs for stakeholders. This would ensure that the network of organizations and advocates is continuously equipped to support adolescents’ access to SRH services. Establishing focal points for advocacy within each organization would provide leadership and continuity.