Activists push for law to force Rwandan men into labour room

Couples wait outside the antenatal clinic at Rwinkwavu Hospital. Photo/Daniel Sabiiti 

By Rodrigue Rwirahira Rwanda Today

In Summary

• They argue that neglecting of this duty by men has a negative psychological effect on mothers and their babies.
• The activists have launched a campaign dubbed Men Care plus, spearheaded by Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre (Rwamrec) — a non governmental organisation largely made up of men.
• The proponents of the campaign argue that men who don’t help their wives during pregnancy and labour still harbour traditional chauvinistic mindsets.

Activists are pushing the government to introduce a legislation that would compel men to accompany their wives to antenatal check-ups and to the labour room.

They argue that neglecting of this duty by men has a negative psychological effect on mothers and their babies.

They have launched a campaign dubbed Men Care plus, spearheaded by Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre (Rwamrec) — a non governmental organisation largely made up of men.

The proponents of the campaign argue that men who don’t help their wives during pregnancy and labour still harbour traditional chauvinistic mindsets. They would like this changed through “regulations from policy makers.”

Some psychologists have echoed similar concerns, saying that expectant women require love and attention.

Shamsi Kazimbaya, a psychologist said that there is lack of awareness on the importance of the presence of a man when the wife is expectant.

“We have found that less than 10 per cent of husbands make it to the labour rooms and or maternity wards and help their wives while delivering babies,” said Ms Kazimbaya.

She added that available research shows that the presence of a man in the pre- and post-natal period enforces a positive relationship between the two partners.

“We are currently working in four districts in the pilot phase and we want the government to come up with sanctions on men who do not comply with the set provisions,” said Ms Kazimbaya. The idea, she says, is to supplement government initiatives on reproductive health, the fight against sexual and gender-based violence, polygamy and family planning programmes.

However, some women have expressed concern over conflict between this campaign and cultural values.

“Some women would not wish to push while their husbands are around,” said Seraphie Mukakimenyi, a mother of three living in Nyarugenge District.

“We understand the significance of the move, but we believe those are tasks to be handled by other women in the family, especially aunties and mothers in law,” said Jerome Kanyarukiga, a father of four