Rwanda’s government has launched a new mobile application to help parents raise children safely, as Gender and Family Promotion Minister Consolée Uwimana urged citizens to take family challenges as their own responsibility.
The Itetero Mobile App, introduced Thursday during a national parenting forum in Kigali, provides parents with age-appropriate guidance, tips, and content on child-rearing, both on phones and computers.
“Every person here was born in a family and belongs to one,” Uwimana said. “Our actions, words, and behavior all affect families. We must align our efforts so that together we create real change.”
The minister warned that family conflicts are driving some children onto the streets. “We ask everyone to be partners in protecting children’s lives and upbringing,” she said. “Avoid exposing them to harmful images and information. For everything we do to have impact, we must work together and make family issues everyone’s responsibility.”
Children who attended the forum spoke about how disputes at home push peers toward street life. “Some children are taken off the streets and reunited with families, but others quickly replace them,” one child said. “This happens mainly because of constant quarrels between parents. Instead of only rescuing children from the streets, we should also talk to parents so they can live peacefully together.”
Assumpta Ingabire, director general of the National Child Development Agency (NCDA), said a recent survey showed many parents lack time and skills for proper guidance.
“Parents told us they spend most of their time earning a living and admitted to having little knowledge about effective parenting,” she said.
The Itetero App aims to fill that gap, providing age- and location-specific content to help parents guide their children safely. The launch event included development partners such as UNICEF, Save the Children, and the Imbuto Foundation, as well as children who entertained participants with songs and dances.
Uwimana emphasized that national progress depends on strong families. “Stronger families are the foundation for a stronger Rwanda,” she said, calling on all citizens to take an active role in nurturing children.
