More Girls Plug Into Technical Trades as TVET Pushes for Gender Equality

Elias Hakizimana May 17, 2025May 17, 2025 0 Comments

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

In a bid to challenge long-standing gender norms in education and employment, Salesians of Don Bosco in Rwanda supported by Don Bosco Tech Africa hosted a Campaign and Dialogue Forum on Gender Equality at Don Bosco Gatenga Technical Secondary School in Kigali on May 17, 2025.

Held under the theme “I Stand for Inclusive Education,” the forum spotlighted efforts to increase gender equity in Don Bosco’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) schools—where fields like electricity and construction have traditionally been male-dominated.

Students, educators, local leaders, gender officers, and media professionals gathered to discuss strategies for removing barriers that hinder girls from entering and thriving in technical trades.

Among the students breaking new ground is Ineza Rosine Kelly, a Level 3 student in Electrical Technology. “I’m proud to be a girl studying electricity—something many people find surprising,” she said. “People assume I should study culinary arts based on how I look or speak. But this is my passion. I feel free and confident when I work with electricity.”

Her classmate, Umugwaneza Marie Louise Audrey, emphasized how inclusive education programs have helped girls gain confidence in such environments. “We are only five girls in a class of 40, but we value this opportunity. We need more girls to embrace technical education like electricity,” she said.

Audrey noted that she comes from a home where gender roles are more balanced—an influence that reinforces her belief in shared responsibilities. “My father sometimes helps with housework, and my brother and I share chores. It’s a team effort.”

Ineza’s path wasn’t without resistance. “My father was unsure at first. He asked, ‘Are you sure about this?’ I said yes. I didn’t know everything back then, but I believed in myself. Eventually, he supported me.” Outside her family, she still encounters gender bias. “People tell me, ‘You can’t do that, you’re a girl.’ But I remind myself not to give up. We just need trust and support from society.”

Clementine Uzamurera, Gender Officer at Don Bosco Gatenga, said change is gradually happening. “Most parents still think trades like plumbing and electricity are for boys. That’s why we hold awareness campaigns and create support systems that empower girls.”

Support includes emotional counseling, scholarships, hygiene supplies, and a newly constructed girls’ dormitory that has already boosted enrollment. Through the Gender Matters for Green TVET project, even students with disabilities receive full sponsorship.

The impact is already visible. One female student who excelled in solar energy training traveled to Ghana and will return to train peers. Another is now pursuing electrical engineering in Sweden. “With support, girls don’t just keep up—they often lead,” Uzamurera said.

Aulole Niyitanga, Gender Officer at Muhazi TVET School in Gasabo, has also seen positive change. “We’re proud to now have nine girls in the building course—previously, we had none,” she said. “We work with parents to shift mindsets, especially in rural areas. The Green TVET Project helps us promote equality through regular discussions and parental engagement.”

The Kigali forum also served as a springboard for student-led initiatives to promote gender equality across Don Bosco institutions. Gender club members from Muhazi and Rango are expected to return to their schools and lead awareness campaigns with support from teachers and local officials.

For girls like Ineza and Audrey, the request is simple: trust their abilities. “If you need someone to fix an electrical problem at your house, don’t assume only a man can do it,” Ineza said. “I can climb that roof and fix it too. Just give us the chance. Believe in us.”