19 Jan 2026

When the two first ladies, Ms Kaone Boko and Ms Angeline Ndayishimiye Ndayubaha of Burundi, met at Lesirane Clinic in Mogoditshane on January 16 for the unveiling of the MPEPU initiative, they radiated a supportive, maternal vibe towards teenage mothers.

They stood united, not only by protocol but by a shared purpose; to support teenage mothers.

While many perceive teenage pregnancy as the end and not the beginning of something to look forward to, the two first ladies brought a message of hope and compassionate to the young faces carrying a mix of fatigue and uncertainty, one that said, teenage pregnancy could in fact be the beginning of something new.

Both Ms Boko and Ms Ndayishimiye Ndayubaha are members of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), which is committed to addressing among other things, adolescent sexual and reproductive health across the continent.

“Our mission in OAFLAD is to take care of adolescent sexual and reproductive health,” said Ms Boko, and added that at the heart of the mission were teenage expectant mothers, young girls who too often faced stigma, silence and isolation at the very moment they needed support the most.

Ms Boko spoke candidly about the importance of early antenatal care, urging the young mothers to register at health facilities as soon as possible, to allow healthcare providers to identify challenges in time and offer the necessary interventions to ensure safe pregnancies and deliveries.

“Accessing care on time helps us to get adequate support and to give birth safely,” she said, reminding the girls that their health mattered, not only for themselves, but for the children they carried.

Ms Boko noted that access to care was not always easy. She said as she travelled across villages, she often heard troubling stories from young people who were mocked or dismissed when seeking information about family planning or sexual and reproductive health.

“Some are discouraged by parents, while others face judgment even from healthcare workers. When we condemn them, we block them from seeking help and the right information and that leads them into trouble or pregnancy,” said Ms Boko.

She therefore, appealed to parents, leaders and communities to allow young people to access health services freely, without shame or blame. She urged teenage mothers to not allow shame to steal their future.

“Do not be ashamed to go back to school, be bold, continue your life,” she urged, and acknowledged the harsh judgments many young mothers faced, especially whispers, stares and rejection, but encouraged them not to dwell on those voices, but focus on rebuilding their lives, step by step.

Ms Ndayishimiye Ndayubaha reinforced the message of dignity and hope that resonated deeply among the young mothers.

“You are not alone, your current situation does not diminish your dignity, your personal worth or your potential,” she said.

She spoke as a mother, an African woman and a first lady, acknowledging the fear, doubt and sadness that could accompany pregnancy at a young age, but reframed the experience as a possible turning point, a new chapter marked by resilience and determination.

“This experience does not define who you are, it can become the beginning of growth,” she said.

Ms Ndayishimiye Ndayubaha also emphasised that education remained the key to the future, saying motherhood, should never become an obstacle to dreams and aspirations.

Both first ladies stressed that supporting young mothers was not the responsibility of governments alone instead, families, communities, faith leaders and institutions all had a role to play in creating environments where young girls were heard, respected and supported. 

As the event drew to a close, the first ladies presented MPEPU maternity gift bags to the teenage mothers, a symbolic gesture that acknowledged how demanding parenting could be and to remind the girls that they were not forgotten.  ENDS