Jean Nepo Utumatwishima, Rwanda’s Minister of Youth and Arts, has joined the country’s growing pool of PhD holders after successfully defending his doctoral thesis at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.
His research, titled “Investigating the Association between Household Gender Dynamics, Intimate Partner Violence, Mother's Mental Health, Child Abuse, and Child Stunting in Rwanda,” explored how family dynamics affect child growth. The study proposes holistic, multisectoral solutions that extend beyond traditional nutrition-focused interventions to address the broader household and social factors contributing to child stunting.
In his study conducted in Rwanda’s Northern Province, Utumatwishima talked to more than 600 mothers who had children between one month and three years old. The goal was to see how family life, including the relationship between parents, the mother’s mental health, and how children are cared for; might affect a child’s growth.
Almost three out of every ten children in the study were stunted meaning they were shorter than normal for their age due to poor growth. Most of these children came from low-income families, and many of their mothers had little formal education and did unskilled jobs.
But he discovered that stunting wasn’t just about food or poverty. It was also about what was happening inside the home.
Nearly half of the mothers said they had experienced violence from their partners, either before or during pregnancy. Children whose mothers suffered physical or sexual violence were more likely to be stunted.
Mothers who were depressed or did not have enough emotional or social support such as help when they were sick or guidance from others also had children who were more likely to be stunted.
In short, the study revealed that a child’s growth is not only about nutrition but also about love, safety, and emotional well-being within the home.
Dr Jean Nepo Utumatwishima, Rwanda’s Minister of Youth and Arts pose with supervisors in Sweden moment after his PhD defense
The research concluded that to fight stunting in Rwanda, there is a need to look beyond food and health clinics. Support for mothers especially mental health care, protection from domestic violence, and parenting guidance should be part of every child health and nutrition program.
Helping mothers feel safe, supported, and emotionally healthy could help more Rwandan children grow up strong and reach their full potential.
A medical doctor by profession, Dr. Utumatwishima pursued his PhD under the University of Rwanda–Sweden Program while serving as the Director of Rwamagana Hospital, prior to his ministerial appointment.