At the inauguration of the first Itorero (civic education) at Akilah Institute For Women in Kibagabaga, a Kigali suburb, last Friday, girls were told to embrace Rwandan cultural values so as to build and uphold their image.

Evode Ngombwa, who represented the chairman of the National Itorero Commission, highlighted the roles of civic education in Rwanda and also urged the girls to use the programme to learn about traditional values and government programmes for socio-economical development.

"This is an opportunity for you to learn the morals of a general  Rwandan. Participate in activities that help you promote your daily lives and build the country that is based on our culture. We do not want you to be a burden to the nation, but to rather provide solutions to the problems that the country has,” he said.

Ngombwa emphasized the need for the participants to promote the spirit of being Rwandans ahead of everything else because it is an indicator of togetherness.

Aline Kabanda Mpinganzima, the country Director of Akilah, said that the week-long  Itorero has been of a great importance.

"Akilah, being an institute for women, we want to train all these young girls to know and understand that they are the leaders of tomorrow, and more importantly, the major contributors towards the development of their families and communities. With Itorero, it is, therefore, going to bring back all the core values such as patriotism and being people of integrity,” she noted.

Joselyne Musengamana, the head of the Akilah Itorero, said they were committed to empowering the girl-child through programmes like the Umugoroba w’abakobwa (girls’ meetings), sports, introducing Agaciro TV and emphasising students’ participation in government activities like communal work.