‘If She’s Pregnant, then that Means that Her Dreams Fade Away’: Exploring Experiences of Adolescent Pregnancy and Motherhood in Rwanda

Abstract

Adolescent motherhood can alter the future opportunities available to girls and the challenges they face. This article considers how adolescents’ capabilities are influenced by pregnancy and motherhood, using a mixed-methods case study of Rwanda. Adolescent motherhood impacts girls’ lives across multiple capabilities including education, psychosocial well-being, voice and agency, and economic empowerment. Rarely were adolescent mothers in our sample supported to return to school, for instance. Their pregnancy and motherhood were stigmatised by their families, peers, wider community and service providers. The psychosocial consequences of adolescent motherhood are significant, linked to social isolation and multifaceted stressors, including poverty. Despite recent policy and service improvements, adolescent mothers continue to be left behind.

Scoping review of qualitative studies investigating reproductive health knowledge, attitudes, and practices among men and women across Rwanda

“…engaging fathers in caregiving [20], implementation of coordinated public planning service delivery [21], group antenatal care [22], and an entertainment-education serial radio drama [23]. Three studies focused on understanding adolescents' perspectives or experiences of SRH social norms, specifically with: sexual coercion [24], adolescent pregnancy [25], and sexuality and relationships [26]. Additionally, Coast et.…”

“…Four articles discussed adolescent SRH [24][25][26][27]. Coast et al [27] and Michielsen et al [26] spoke about young people being particularly at risk for adverse SRH outcomes, including HIV/STI infection or unwanted pregnancies, due to the societal context in which they engage in sexual relations.…”

“…Coast et al [27] and Michielsen et al [26] spoke about young people being particularly at risk for adverse SRH outcomes, including HIV/STI infection or unwanted pregnancies, due to the societal context in which they engage in sexual relations. Van Decraen et al [24] and Coast et al [25] discussed the need to improve education and access to the health sector to protect adolescents from adverse outcomes associated with sexual coercion and teen pregnancy. Researchers maintain that concerted and multisectoral efforts-across education, justice and health-are critical to prevent sexual violence and unwanted adolescent pregnancy [25].…”

“…Van Decraen et al [24] and Coast et al [25] discussed the need to improve education and access to the health sector to protect adolescents from adverse outcomes associated with sexual coercion and teen pregnancy. Researchers maintain that concerted and multisectoral efforts-across education, justice and health-are critical to prevent sexual violence and unwanted adolescent pregnancy [25]. It is important to support adolescent mothers in hopes of reducing the likelihood that adolescent mothers and their children are left behind while preventing the intergenerational transmission of disadvantage [25].…”

‘They Say it was Her Fault… This is Not True!’ Using Vignettes With Adolescent Girls to Collectively Address Norms About Sexual Violence

“…However, research with Rwandan adolescents exploring how age and gender norms shape sexual health points to puberty as a time when societal expectations of girls shift, and when girls must assume increasing responsibility for controlling their sexuality and protecting themselves from sexual violence (Coast et al, 2019). Relatedly, adolescent girls report stigma as a barrier to accessing justice for sexual violence (Coast et al, 2021).…”