Kigali, Rwanda – On October 11, 2024, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Rwanda commemorated the International Day of the Girl (IDG) with a special event held at Groupe Scolaire Kagugu Catholique.
The event aimed to amplify the voices and visions of girls and young women, while advocating for comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and supportive policies. The occasion, marked annually on October 11, brought together educators, healthcare professionals, and students to tackle pressing issues affecting adolescent girls.
Murungi Patience, Advocacy, Policy, and Marketing Officer at AHF Rwanda, highlighted the critical issues addressed during the event.
“Our advocates focused on menstrual health management, age-appropriate CSE, and the importance of girls staying in school. We reinforced the need to avoid unplanned pregnancies, develop life skills, and address other vital issues that impact their health and future opportunities,” she explained.
The celebration at GS Kagugu gathered 80 young adolescents and provided an inspiring platform where a local neurosurgeon shared her personal journey, underscoring the importance of education and perseverance.
The event emphasized crucial topics such as adolescent sexual and reproductive health, prevention of teenage pregnancies, and access to sanitary pads, all geared towards empowering young girls to take control of their health and futures.
Talking to Kigali Times, Sylvie Inyange, a neurosurgeon at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), called upon parents to engage with their children to prevent early pregnancies and protect their mental health.
“It’s essential for parents to create awareness and have open discussions with their kids. This not only prevents early pregnancy but also ensures their mental well-being and safeguards their future,” she emphasized.
Inyange also encouraged girls to have confidence in themselves and their abilities. “Girls should know that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to in life,” she added.
Mushimiyimana Naome, a teacher at GS Kagugu Catholic who is responsible for the care and development of girls at the school, emphasized the importance of ongoing education.
“We don’t just wait for events like this to talk about sexual and reproductive health. As teachers, we incorporate these discussions into the curriculum to ensure that girls are aware of the changes they face as teenagers and are well-prepared for adulthood,” she stated.
One of the event participants, Akazuba Guillaine, a Senior Three (S3) student, urged parents to take an active role in educating their children about puberty and the emotional changes that come with it.
“Parents might feel embarrassed discussing these sensitive topics, but children are often relieved when they take the lead,” she said.
The event was part of a broader initiative by AHF Rwanda to promote the health and well-being of girls in the country. Since launching the Girls Act program in Africa in 2016, AHF has expanded its efforts to nearly 40 countries, advocating for gender equality and comprehensive sexuality education to empower young women globally.
In Rwanda, as in many other parts of the world, girls face substantial barriers to education, employment, and healthcare.
UNICEF reports that 75% of new HIV infections among adolescents occur in girls, and nearly one in four partnered or married adolescent girls experiences sexual or physical abuse. The International Day of the Girl events, like the one organized by AHF Rwanda, aim to raise awareness and help girls live healthier, more empowered lives.
