When she was only eight months old, Frida Umutoniwase was diagnosed with an illness that left her with speech and hearing impairments.

As a young girl, she pursued her studies at Gatagara High School in Huye District, and realised that many children with disabilities were having a hard time, not just in society, but within their own families.

"I managed to study and my family never rejected me. This made me feel the need to advocate for others who are kept in their homes. People with disabilities have rights just like others,” Umutoniwase, the first of her parents’ eight children, says.

Early this year, Umutoniwase auditioned for Miss Rwanda and earned a ticket to represent Kigali, being one of the first contestants with a disability to participate in the pageant in 12 years.

"I participated in the Miss Rwanda contest with an education and social inclusion project to prove that we have the ability,” she says.

Even though she didn’t win, the dedication to her cause was not deterred, and she joined Generation Leadership Academy, an annual programme by Citizen Voice and Actions (CVA)—a local youth-led organisation that equips the youth with leadership skills.

With the target to gain leadership skills to be able to efficiently advocate for people with disabilities, Umutoniwase, who is part of a cohort that started training last week, explains that lack of interest in sign language in the community is still a challenge.

"The government should make sign language official so that it can be taught and be used in schools, hospitals among other public places. This can help break barriers which block people with disabilities, especially the youth from leadership positions,” she says.

Umutoniwase also makes jewellery like beaded bangles and earrings at Uwezo Youth Employment, an organisation that seeks to raise awareness on equal rights and opportunities for children and youth with impairments, and translates primary school books into sign language.

With her leadership ambition, she says once the youth gain governance skills and space, it could pave way for many youngsters with disabilities and influence community and policy makers to advance rights for people with disabilities.

"I am lucky that as a young girl with disabilities, I am among the youth pursuing this leadership programme. I believe the leadership skills gained will change my life and the life of other youth with disabilities. I am looking to put in practice these skills to ensure that more youth with disabilities gain leadership skills,” she says.

Samuel Hakuzimana, the founder and executive director of Citizen Voice and Actions says that Umutoniwase is among 21 youth in the first cohort benefitting from the Generation Leadership Academy. He says that the qualities a good leader should have include ability to inspire, strong communication skills, confidence, commitment, good attitude, creativity, coordination, among skills needed.

"The youth have not yet gained leadership skills at the level we wish. As they are present and future leaders, they should be in leadership positions at an early stage. We have to prepare them so they fix the gaps in leadership in the near future,” he says.

Hakuzimana adds that the Generation Leadership Academy programme targets fresh young graduates and those already in leadership positions in different places such as schools, community, civil society and the national youth council.

"These are potential candidates to become leaders. Our principle is to leave no one behind and, therefore, youth with disabilities are included in the programme. Every year we train two cohorts each with 30 youth. They have to understand the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1), decentralisation, and characteristics of an effective leader,” he says.

Fred Musiime, a human rights and governance expert, says the youth also need transformation leadership skills which put citizens first to have their lives transformed and help every member of the group succeed.

"The current leaders should encourage the youth to start leadership at an early stage to ensure future potential leaders are prepared,” he says.