Nelly Keza Bayingana, 17, recently had her first book published on gender equality. Gender equality is the state in which access to rights or opportunities is unaffected by gender. Although Bayingana has written other books, they are only in draft, but with this one, she was driven to see it through to publication after noticing gender inequality at school. For instance, when it came to sports, it’s the male students that participated mostly; the girls avoided it and the boys felt they were better at basketball and football, among other games. This bothered her as she believed girls could also take part in sports and succeed. “The female students mostly chose art subjects leaving math, physics, chemistry and others to the male students,” she says. Often, she adds, the male students would brag that they would excel in such subjects, and they actually did, a thing that intimidated the girls. Bayingana wishes to address this issue through writing. She wants to encourage women and girls to take up positions and activities that are thought to be done best by men. For her, many times, gender stereotypes affect behaviour, study choices, determination, and attitude of people. In summary, her book dubbed, “Muhirwa” is a story of a couple with three daughters. Unfortunately, the father was disappointed in only giving birth to girls as he wanted his firstborn to be a boy to inherit his possessions. He decided to name his third daughter, “Muhirwa”, a boy’s name, since he seemed to be out of choices. Later, Muhirwa got married to a prince and since her husband had the powers to do anything for her, she requested him to promote gender equality. Everyone had equal rights in society. She mostly wrote this book for students and young adults. She notes that gender inequality can be curbed in schools through opportunities for male and female students, to be able to take part in all kinds of sports, and activities, without discrimination. “Eliminating gender issues means a world where women and men, girls and boys all enjoy equal rights, resources, opportunities, and protection,” she says. Bayingana adds that when girls are empowered to lead their lives, speak their minds and decide their futures, it’s everyone’s benefit. History recommends that when gender oppression is fought, societies become more stable and safe, she says. The writer also notes that promoting gender equality and empowering girls should start from childhood. She adds that all students require the same support when it comes to career dreams, and everyone’s dream should be to spread awareness about gender equality through books, poems, videos, news, word of mouth and so forth. Her wish is that schools form girls’ clubs to train them to identify and solve some of the common problems they face at school and in the community, such as sexual harassment. The author also adds that gender inequality usually places males in a state of superiority which disturbs women and girls, hence affecting them emotionally and mentally and leaving them with low self-esteem. She goes by the mantra, “what men can do, women can do.” Bayingana is a student at Mother Mary School Complex, Kibagabaga. She looks forward to being a famous published author and interior designer. She has a passion for art and design and wants to pursue a course in interior design later on. Copies of her book can be accessed at Arise Bookshop in Kimironko. A copy goes for Rwf 3,000. The author is already in the process of writing her second book on child abuse, and was inspired to start writing by her mother.
