The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Aloysea Inyumba, on Wednesday urged girl students to desist from situations or practices that may lead to unwanted pregnancies.

The Minister was addressing youth at the closing ceremony of the International Youth Leadership Forum which took place in Bugesera District.

She advised them to aim high and excel academically, to have a bright future and contribute towards the country’s development.

"The enrollment of female students in secondary schools has increased to almost 95 percent, but the problem is that some drop out due to pregnancies,” Inyumba said.

The forum attracted youth from Tanzania, DRC and Canada.

The head of Language and Culture in the Ministry of Culture, Straton Nsanzabaganwa, urged the students to use the current advancement in technology to build their intellect, for the good of their own good and that of their countries.

 A participant at the forum and a senior four student at APEBU College Nyamata, Aline Ihirwe, said the forum was educative both socially and academically.

"We learnt many things, including what is expected of us and how best we can live in harmony with others,” Ihirwe said.

She also said that among others, female participants were encouraged to have confidence in themselves and not to be afraid of competing with their male counterparts.

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