AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Rwanda marked International Day of the Girl Child (IDG), uplifting and inspiring young girls to embrace their dreams and health.

The event, held on October 11, brought together 100 young adolescents to raise awareness of important issues such as comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), menstrual health management, and life skills development at Groupe Scolaire Kagugu Catholique (GS Kagugu).

AHF highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by girls and young women worldwide, including barriers to education, healthcare, and protection from early pregnancies.

Today, we join the global community in celebrating International Day of the Girl Child. This day allows us to reflect on the significant achievements made for girls and the progress our country has accomplished. As AHF Rwanda, through our Girl Act program, we are proud to be at GS Kagugu, a school with one of the largest student populations in the country,” said Patience Murungi, the advocacy policy marketing officer at AHF Rwanda.

"However, we must also acknowledge the ongoing challenges that many girls still face, such as gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, and issues related to menstrual hygiene. The high cost of sanitary pads remains a barrier for many. While we celebrate the strides made, we also advocate for solutions to these pressing issues.

"Our focus today is on empowering girls by encouraging them to stay in school, understand their rights, and recognize the vision our country has for them. Together, let us work towards a future where every girl can thrive,” said Murungi.

AHF advocates stressed the importance of staying in school, avoiding unplanned pregnancies, and developing crucial life skills to build empowered futures.

Sylvie Inyange, a neurosurgeon at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), shared her personal story to motivate the girls and highlighted the importance of personal motivation.

"The message I shared today was about the importance of dreams and the power of belief and personal motivation. I wanted to inspire young girls, especially those who are vulnerable, to know that their dreams are powerful. By believing in themselves, they can achieve anything,” said Inyange.

Addressing the barriers that young girls face, Inyange pointed out that societal expectations often weigh heavily on girls’ potential.

"Physiological changes and societal views can be limiting, but girls must rise above those limitations and not allow society to define their future, girls should pursue their own paths, no matter how unconventional. A girl can be anything she wants to be,” she said.

Girls’ futures should not be dictated by outdated norms or harmful expectations, she said.

Graine Akazuba, a senior three student at GS Kagugu, shared her takeaways from the event, including a newfound appreciation for protecting herself from unwanted pregnancies and the importance of embracing the changes of adolescence.

"One eye-opening revelation for me was the alarming issue of older men manipulating young girls with gifts in exchange for sex. It is harmful to us and our future, such behaviour overlooks the potential girls have to contribute to their country,” she said.

"I am now determined to focus on my studies as it is the only thing I have on my plate, avoid negative influences, and work hard towards achieving my goals.”

Naomi Mushimiyimana, a teacher in charge of girls’ well-being at GS Kagugu, said that the celebration of this day gives them an opportunity to remind young girls how to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies and navigate adolescence.

"Although we regularly address these issues in our Girls’ Act clubs, it is something we should emphasize every day as many of them are not taught about it in families. We are very thankful to AHF Rwanda for their support, whether it is providing menstrual pads or even paying school fees for our girls, they really play a huge part in the young girls’ life elevation,” said Mushimiyimana.

AHF Rwanda continues to advocate for the health and empowerment of young girls, reinforcing the global call for comprehensive sexuality education, gender equality, and the protection of girls’ rights.