The Values Clarification and Attitude Transformation (VCAT) training was a 4-day workshop organized by Ihorere Munyarwanda Organisation (IMRO-Rwanda), that took place from Nov 28th – Dec 1st, 2023.
The objective of the training was to ensure that healthcare providers approach such sensitive and often controversial issues in society with empathy and professionalism. The training, focused on values clarification and attitude transformation, aimed to better equip doctors to navigate the complex ethical and moral considerations surrounding safe abortion. This approach promotes a more compassionate and patient-focused stance in reproductive healthcare.
On the first day of VCAT training session, the focus was on the prevalence of pregnant teenagers in Rwanda. According to the most recent Rwanda Demographic Health Survey (RDHS 6), 5% of girls aged 15-19 have begun childbearing; 4% have given birth, and 1% are pregnant with their first child. Additionally, it was revealed that 1.8% of teenagers have HIV. Participants gained valuable insights into broadening their focus beyond preventing unsafe abortions and addressing the issue of HIV/AIDS. The session also covered the impact of unsafe abortion, highlighting that is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in Rwanda.
Furthermore, participants learned about international, regional, and national conventions concerning Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). They explored Rwandan laws and their components, emphasizing the Maputo Protocol as a convention advancing African women’s rights. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was discussed for its role in realizing equality between women and men. Advocacy efforts at the national level in Rwanda and the legal framework of SRHR and abortion in the country were also shared during this highly engaging training.