“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now” states an ancient saying, which sadly resonates with the ongoing problem of adolescent pregnancy in Rwanda.
Although national-level efforts have been made to address this challenge—and tangible progress has been made— the problem persists unabated, with nearly one in five girls in Rwanda becoming first-time mothers by the age of 19.
My research adopts a novel strategy. Instead of relying solely on traditional data such as national surveys, it proposes using Google search trends and social media interactions. The study employs AI techniques to decode the hidden concerns and curiosities of teenagers and their caretakers—topics they are too embarrassed to voice openly. In today’s digital age, where nearly every teenager has internet access, the internet serves as the sole space where individuals can freely explore and discuss subjects often deemed too taboo or embarrassing to discuss at family dinners.
Thus, internet data provides a rich source of anonymous and unfiltered conversations on social media, as well as candid queries made on Google searches. When these digital whispers are aggregated on a massive scale, what secrets does this data reveal about the underlying causes of adolescent pregnancy? More importantly, what strategies can we derive from this data to effectively tackle such a multifaceted issue?
While this research is still unfolding and its conclusions are not yet ready for publication, finding a pragmatic solution to this complex issue will be a lengthy process. Yet, amidst this challenging journey, a pivotal question emerges: Is our society ready to step out of its comfort zones, confront realities that may clash with cherished traditional values, and explore new paths to pragmatic solutions?