Empowering Rwanda’s future: IMRO Rwanda trains adolescents in sexual health, advocacy, and leadership

By Prince Boris Cyubahiro & Elias Hakizimana.

On February 5, 2025, the Ihorere Munyarwanda Organization (IMRO Rwanda) hosted a vital training session in Kayonza District aimed at equipping adolescents with the knowledge and leadership skills to tackle sexual and reproductive health challenges in their communities.

The event focused on fostering advocacy and leadership skills while enhancing adolescents’ understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

By empowering young people in secondary schools, IMRO Rwanda is helping them become informed leaders and change agents, who will share their knowledge with peers and advocate for healthier behaviors.

The training session brought together representatives from 10 secondary schools in Kayonza, with students selected to participate as peer educators.

Adolescents following the training, actively absorbing valuable information to become future leaders and advocates for sexual health in their communities.

Rosine Izabayo, Rosine Izabayo, Project Manager for IMRO Rwanda’s ‘Enabling Environment for Accessing SRH Information Among Adolescents in Rwanda’ initiative, explained the purpose behind the move.

“Adolescents in schools are crucial in bridging the information gap on SRHR. We aim to empower them with knowledge they can share, so they can advocate for their peers and lead them toward healthier behaviors,” she said.

Adolescents in Rwanda, especially in the Eastern Province, face significant health challenges, including a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancies. Over 25% of girls experience their first sexual encounter by age 15, and the lack of sexual health education exacerbates these issues.

Izabayo emphasized the importance of education in reversing these troubling trends. “When children are informed, they can make better decisions. With the right knowledge, they can avoid dangerous situations like early pregnancies, HIV, and other risks associated with uninformed decisions.”

During the training, students such as King Junior Musoni, a 14-year-old Senior Two student from E.S Kabarondo, learned essential lessons on sexual health and leadership.

“We learned how to avoid unprotected sex and the consequences of early pregnancies. We also discussed how to resist peer pressure and the importance of waiting until we are ready for relationships,” Musoni shared.

“Lack of information is one of the biggest challenges we face as adolescents, and it’s easy to make wrong choices when we don’t know better.” he added.

The event was also met with appreciation from local educators.

Soueur Marie Bertin Nikuze, Headteacher at FAWE Girls School Gahini, highlighted how essential this training is for fostering awareness among students.

“This is part of our education priorities. It’s important to guide girls to become future mothers, fostering values like virginity and good decision-making. We also aim to educate students on using social media in positive ways and have clubs where they discuss these topics,” Nikuze explained.

Dr. Anicet Nzabonimpa, a Sexual, Reproductive, and Community Health Expert at RTSL, highlighted the importance of ongoing education and support for adolescents.

“Sexual health education is crucial for everyone, including adolescents. Schools and health centers must collaborate to provide information and resources, like the ISANGE ONE STOP Center for those who have experienced sexual violence,” Dr. Nzabonimpa said.

“These workshops are not just about information sharing; they also teach students how to lead discussions and advocate for sexual health, both in their schools and communities.” he added.

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education have also made strides in supporting sexual health education outside of regular school hours.

This includes after-school programs that encourage group discussions and peer-led advocacy efforts. Dr. Nzabonimpa emphasized the importance of teachers, health professionals, and local authorities working together to monitor the success and impact of these efforts, ensuring that adolescents continue to benefit from these programs as they progress through their education.

A room full of eager minds sharpening their skills and preparing for the future.

Alphonse Marie Nzabahabwa, an education officer in Kayonza District, reflected on the broader context of adolescent challenges.

“Many students are influenced by their peers and face challenges that affect their academic performance and personal health. These programs help students make informed choices, particularly regarding their sexual health,” he said.

“It’s essential for us to address these issues because they have long-term effects on the future of our youth.”

Nzabahabwa also highlighted the district’s youth empowerment programs, including “Itorero,” which focus on instilling positive cultural values and principles in students. These programs are crucial for helping young people avoid risky behaviors, such as early sexual activity and substance abuse. The integration of these cultural teachings alongside sexual health education offers a holistic approach to adolescent well-being.

The ongoing support and collaboration between IMRO Rwanda, local schools, and health authorities are critical in tackling the sexual and reproductive health challenges faced by adolescents.

Nzabahabwa emphasized that the district will continue to monitor the success of these initiatives by assessing how well students apply what they have learned.

“We will visit schools regularly to ensure that the information is being utilized effectively and to offer additional support to students facing challenges.”Nzabahabwa said.

The training aimed at equipping adolescents with essential knowledge and leadership skills, empowering them to advocate for healthier behaviors in their communities.

Through these training sessions, IMRO Rwanda is playing a pivotal role in not only informing adolescents about sexual health but also empowering them to become advocates and leaders in their schools and communities.

By focusing on education, advocacy, and leadership development, IMRO Rwanda is helping shape a generation of informed, responsible young people who will contribute to building a healthier, more resilient future for Rwanda.

This initiative in Kayonza is just one example of how local organizations and government institutions are coming together to address the challenges facing today’s youth and provide them with the tools they need to navigate their future safely and responsibly.

As Rwanda moves forward, empowering young people with the knowledge to lead and advocate for their health will be critical to ensuring a brighter future for the country.

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