While Maternal and Child mortality remains a global concern, Rwanda is one of the countries proving the possibility and hope of achieving the Sustainable Development Goal on maternal deaths of 70 per 100,000 live births though more efforts are still needed. Rwanda was able to reduce the Maternal Mortality Ratio from 1,071 deaths in 2,000 to 203 deaths in 2019-2020 per 100,000 live births, an enormous achievement worthy to celebrate!

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goal, an unusual focus, attention and efforts will need to be invested in the young and teenage mothers’ maternal health. According to the Rwanda DHS 2019-2021, only 43.2% of pregnant girls below 20 years of age attended 4 antenatal care visits while for those aged 20-35 was 49.5%. It again reported that 7.4% and 7.2% of deaths among females aged 15-19 and 20-24 respectively, are maternal. 

There are enormous risks associated with teenage pregnancies such as anemia, preterm labor, urinary tract infections, preeclampsia, high rate of cesarean sections, preterm birth, and low birth weight infants including maternal and newborn mortality.

As a youth-led organization, below are our commitments and contributions to maternal and child health:

• Efficient reduction of teenage pregnancies
• Appropriate psychosocial support and prenatal care orientation
• Reducing early and forced marriages;
• Creating understanding and support to reduce unwanted pregnancy among young women;
• Increasing the use of contraception by youths and adolescents at the risk of unintended pregnancy;
• Reducing coerced sex among youths and adolescents;
• Empowering upcoming health professionals including Midwifery, Nursing, Medical and Mental Health Students who are volunteering with us.

Implementation of the above commitments and contributions is enhanced with the partnership we have with the Ministry of Health, Rwanda Biomedical Center, University of Rwanda/College of Medicine and Health Sciences, CSOs and YLOs and other Private Institutions/ individuals.