The Minister of Finance, John Rwangombwa, yesterday, called on Rwandans to utilise access to reproductive health services in order to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

Finance minister John Rwangombwa (in cap) and other officials join the youth in a march to mark World Population Day in Kigali yesterday. The New Times / John Mbanda.

He was speaking during the World Population Day celebrations that were held at the Amahoro National Stadium in Remera, Kigali where hundreds of Rwandans joined the rest of the world to celebrate the day.

“If these services are utilised, maternal deaths and child mortality rates will reduce, hence leading to producing a reasonable number of children that a family can be able to take care of. This will also help curb undue population growth,” he said.

He also applauded Rwandans for making use of the family planning services in place as the number of people who are using contraceptives has gone up to 45per cent.

Statistics from the Ministry of Health indicate that 45 per cent of married women and 40 per cent of sexually active unmarried women use a modern method of family planning.

Rwangombwa also called on Rwandans to comply with and take part in the national population census that will take place from August 16 to 30.

The current population status in Rwanda is projected at 11,033,141, up from an estimated 10,718,379 in 2011.

The Rwandan population pyramid mainly comprises youth with more than 62 per cent of the population below the age of 25 years, according to statistics.

By Maria Kaitesi, The New Times