Kigali Warns of Rising Child Abuse, Urges Parents to Be More Watchful

City of Kigali spokesperson Emma Claudine Nitenganya said the problem persists partly because some parents fail to pay close attention to their children’s daily lives, leaving them vulnerable to abuse that often goes unnoticed.

According to recent data from the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), 4,901 people were prosecuted nationwide in the 2023–24 fiscal year for sexually abusing children. Those cases involved 4,767 men and 134 women. During the same period, 4,849 children were identified as victims — 4,646 girls and 203 boys.

Nitenganya said the figures highlight the seriousness of the problem, noting that roughly 75 to 76 percent of the reports received were confirmed as valid.

“What worries us most is that these numbers only reflect cases that reached court,” she told Isango Star. “There are other children who are abused but whose cases are never reported or investigated. Some parents don’t even realize what their children are going through.”

She added that unreported cases often stem from parents’ failure to fulfill their responsibilities in monitoring and protecting their children.

“Some parents don’t follow up on their children to know if they’re facing problems, yet they’re the ones who could intervene,” she said. “Even if a parent is busy, they must check on whoever they leave the child with at home. When a child is in school or daycare, that’s also a key time to detect signs of abuse.”

Nitenganya urged communities to show compassion toward victims, particularly girls who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault.

“We shouldn’t stigmatize or abandon them,” she said. “They are victims of serious crimes that can carry life imprisonment. The offense is severe, and the child has already suffered enough — we shouldn’t add to that pain.”

Kigali officials are calling on parents, teachers, and community leaders to stay alert and report any suspected cases of child abuse to authorities.