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𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇: 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐃𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐒

Teenage mothers often face stigma, isolation, broken relationships, and a lack of awareness of their rights. Before HAGURUKA intervened, many young mothers in Musanze and Gasabo, Ngoma and Bugesera felt alone, unheard, and ashamed, while their children remained legally invisible and had limited access to basic services. HAGURUKA’s Intergenerational Dialogues changed this: safe, community-based conversations that bring together teenage mothers, parents, caregivers, and local leaders to address rights, gender equality, reproductive health, and positive parenting. These sessions have transformed individual lives and strengthened families and communities.

Supporting teen mothers and families

Teen mothers often carry multiple burdens at once: trauma, stigma, interrupted education, family conflict, and economic dependence. Safe, intergenerational conversations help replace blame with understanding and shared responsibility.

When families learn together, young mothers are more likely to feel supported, regain confidence, and plan for the future. Compassionate parenting, accurate information, and community solidarity are powerful tools for healing and prevention.

Where pregnancy is linked to violence, safety and care come first. Support should never force disclosure, reconciliation, or decisions that place someone at further risk.

Restoring Families, Rebuilding Futures

When 16-year-old Immaculée from Gasabo became pregnant, her home was filled with conflict and blame. Her father accused her mother, and her mother blamed herself – nobody understood that Immaculée had survived gender-based violence.
Through HAGURUKA’s guided dialogues, the family learned together that Immaculée needed support, protection, and love. For the first time since the pregnancy, they sat down, listened to one another, and began to heal.Today, Immaculée says she feels “relieved and happy.” Her parents now share responsibility, practise positive parenting, and are planning her return to school.

Empowering Young Mothers to Claim Their Rights

For Denise, a teenage mother in Gasabo, the world felt overwhelming. She did not know that she or her child had rights or where to seek help. One rights-awareness session changed everything. “Now I know my rights – and my children too. I feel confident to speak up and to act.” Empowered by Haguruka, Denise has already begun the legal process to have her child acknowledged by their father. Her story demonstrates the power of providing young mothers with the information they need.

Fathers Becoming Allies for Change

Before the dialogues, many fathers believed teenage pregnancy was solely “the girl’s fault.”
This included Bernard, a father from Gasabo, who blamed both his daughter and her mother.
After joining the sessions, his views changed dramatically. “I have stopped blaming my daughter. Supporting her is my responsibility.”

Bernard now stands beside his daughter as a source of strength, not judgment. His transformation shows how male engagement can create real, lasting change.