Factors Associated with Pregnancies among Church-Going Teenagers in Rwanda

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Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess challenges faced by churchgoing teenage mothers from disadvantaged religious families in Rwanda. The study was based on the following objectives: assess how uninformed physiological and social-emotional changes contribute to GBV among teenagers from disadvantaged religious families in Rwanda and examine how family and religious teachings, poverty and inadequate childhood gender socialization enforce dependence on GBV perpetrators. Methodology: Data were collected from 107 respondents, including 72 teenage mothers, 10 parents, 15 church leaders and 10 local leaders. The study was guided by Life Course Theory as well as the Theory of Gender and Power. Findings: The study revealed significant challenged faced by teenage mothers and their children. They face stigmatization and exclusion, mostly within religious communities (54.2%). Teenage mothers are abandoned, rejected and tortured by their families after pregnancy (97.2%); parents and church leaders ignore their responsibilities. Factors such as poverty, inadequate family education, physiological and emotional changes contribute to sexual exploitation and abuse of girls leading to teenage pregnancy. Victims of continuing erosion of family values, 26.3% of teenage mothers were impregnated by married adults. The physical and socio-emotional environment of teenage mothers’ families perpetuates a growing identity crisis. A significant number of teenage mothers (10.3%) have attempted suicide and failed, they are alive against their will; 41% have attempted abortion and failed. Unprepared and depressed, they develop a dependency on the perpetrator in order to survive. They endure silenced physical, sexual, psychological and economic violence and develop their tortures’ positive justifications in order to protect perpetrators. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The growing phenomenon of teenage mothers disclosures the weaknesses of family and church education. Teenage mothers and local leaders agreed on the dichotomy between spirituality and everyday life, while parents and church leaders tend to emphasize the sinful nature of teenagers. There is a need to raise awareness among families and religious communities to improve girls’ reproductive health education and build their financial resilience.