In order to support parents that have expressed the need of having a document that could help them when discussing sexual and reproductive health matters with their children, Imbuto Foundation in partnership with Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), the Ministry of Family Planning and Gender Promotion (MIGEPROF), UNFPA and other partners developed with the Parent Adolescent Communication (PAC) booklet entitled 'Tuganire Mwana Wanjye".
On June 23rd 2018, MIGEPROF through The National Commission for Children in close collaboration with Imbuto Foundation disseminated this booklet in Mayange Sector, Bugesera District in Eastern Province. The event took place during " umugoroba w'ababyeyi" (Evening gathering ) as a channel where parents gathers to discuss different topics that contributes to the promotion of their families.
The event was attended by hundreds of Mayange Sector residents and different officials from MIGEPROF, Imbuto Foundation and Bugesera District.
While presenting the content of the booklet Batamuriza Mirreille advised parents to discuss sexual reproductive health and consequences of drug abuse with their children. However, she pointed out that teaching children with good examples is very critical.
According to Richard Mutabazi, the Mayor of Bugesera District, the Parents-Adolescents Communication booklet will play an important role in reducing teenage pregnancies.
“This Parent Adolescent Communication booklet will help us to equip parents and their children with skills that enables them to discuss sexual reproductive health and this will certainly reduce teenage pregnancies”. He said
Vestine Nakure who is a Parent Evening Forum Coordinator in Mayange Sector also emphasized the need for the booklet saying that they used to shy away from discussing about sexual reproductive health and she believes that the booklet will help them to equip parents with basic skills which enable them initiate family discussions around sexual reproductive health.
While officiating the dissemination of the Parent Adolescent Communication book, Dr. Claudine Uwera Kanyamanza the Executive Secretary of NCC, thanked the First Lady Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, for her tireless efforts in promoting sexual reproductive health and rights through Imbuto Foundation and her valuable contribution to the fight against teenage pregnancies.
She urged parents to take care of their families despite a heavy schedule they may have.
“We need to invest a significant amount of time in our families, to be able to set a good foundation for our children and secure a bright future for them. It is also our responsibility to initiate open conversations on sexual reproductive health matters” She pointed out
The Parents-Adolescents Communication booklet will be used as a guiding manual, facilitating conversations on sexual reproductive health matters. The booklet was distributed to all parents' gatherings coordinators in all the 569 villages of Bugesera District.