The fifth Edition of the Annual Adolescent Conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) recently concluded in Kigali with a renewed call from adolescents for urgent policy reforms, including removing parental consent requirements for SRHR services, improving healthcare access, and engaging cultural and religious leaders in advocacy. Organized by Health Development Initiative (HDI) and key partners, the conference ran under the theme, “Our Rights, Our Voice: Shaping Adolescent SRHR Together” and sought to provide adolescents a platform to voice their personal stories and experiences to raise awareness, challenge social norms, and mobilize policy and stakeholder support for addressing issues related to adolescent sexual reproductive health. The 5th Annual National Adolescent Conference, held on November 21-22 in Kigali, brought together a diverse group of participants, including students, adolescents from various schools, teenage mothers, government officials, civil society organizations, and healthcare professionals. ALSO READ: HDI hosts 4th annual adolescent conference on sexual and reproductive health and rights In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of HDI, Dr. Aflodis Kagaba, called on partners and decision-makers to leverage the conference to listen to the challenges that adolescents are facing and to commit to removing any barriers to accessing SRHR services, and create a world where every young person feels empowered. He acknowledged the numerous challenges faced by young people today, including stigma, restrictive laws and policies, and societal norms that place heavy burdens on them. He noted that the conference provided a safe space where their voice mattered and their courage to speak out could lead to real action “You are not just the leaders of tomorrow—you are the leaders of today. Your experiences, your insights, and your aspirations are valuable. Share them boldly. Ask the hard questions. Demand the changes you want to see. You have the right to be heard and the power to inspire all of us in this room to act with urgency and purpose,” he said.. In her address, the Deputy Director General of the Rwanda Biomedical Center, Noella Bigirimana, reminded that this year’s theme, “Our Rights, Our Voice: Shaping Adolescent SRHR Together,” reflects the essence of what the government and development partners aim to achieve; ensuring that adolescents are not only beneficiaries of health policies but active participants in shaping them. “To our adolescents, this platform is for you. Speak boldly, share your stories, and make your voices heard. Your insights are invaluable in shaping the policies that affect your lives. To our stakeholders: let us listen, learn, and most importantly, take action. The outcomes of this conference must translate into tangible actions that positively impact adolescents’ lives across Rwanda,” she said. She emphasized the need for training healthcare providers to offer stigma-free, adolescent-centered care and expanding infrastructure to reach even the most remote areas. ALSO READ: HDI commits to help bridge gap in reproductive health information Louis Busingye, the National Program Officer for Human Rights and Democracy at the Swedish Embassy, delivered a speech on behalf of Swedish Ambassador-Designate, Dag Sjöögren. He highlighted the recent draft law on healthcare services presented to Parliament recently as a demonstration of Rwanda's political will and its commitment to address the needs of the youth through practical solutions. “Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Rights deserves increased attention and our current strategy for our development assistance highlights improved health for the most vulnerable as a priority.” He said. Busingye reiterated Sweden’s unwavering support for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), emphasizing that when adolescent girls and boys are given an opportunity to make independent decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, their overall well-being improves, which in turn results in better outcomes for society. Edson Mugabo, a project manager at Plan International, highlighted how the conference led to a transformative shift in his approach to work, emphasizing that engaging with and listening to young people is key to fostering innovation. Collaborating with young people has shifted my view. We once relied on our partners' decisions, but now we understand the importance of listening to them. It's vital that no one is excluded, including those with disabilities, and we must ensure everyone is reachable, even without phones. This approach fosters innovation and change in our work, he remarked. ALSO READ: Engaging adolescents on appropriate sexual and reproductive health choices through sport Joyce Nyirimana, a member of the Rwanda National Union of the Deaf, was happy to attend the conference, especially because there was a sign language interpreter who walked her through the sessions. “I am happy that we had someone to explain in sign language. People with disabilities need such consideration when they are seeking sexual reproductive health services, so that we do not feel left out,” she said. She also shared that she learned a lot from the conference, particularly the exhibitions on sexual and reproductive health services, adding that one of the organizers that impressed her in the exhibition was Jocare, which had braille documents for interaction. Joseph Niyitegeka, a Student at GS Kabuga, shared his experience of attending the conference, noting that he learned a lot about sexual and reproductive health such as how to deal with the stigma surrounding certain topics, such as menstruation, HIV and body changes. “It was an interesting experience. Some of the topics that we covered during the conference are the kind that I haven’t been able to learn at home or in school. I did not know anything about menstruation and learning about it was eye opening.” ALSO READ: Sexual and reproductive health and rights are fundamental human rights Faridah Mukeshimana, a teen mother who attended the conference, expressed how the event impacted her and equipped her with the knowledge that she didn’t know including the resources where to find more information related to sexual and reproductive health. “Now, I am aware of where to get help and the helplines available for any questions or support, and I also feel more confident in advising my peers to be cautious and avoid early pregnancies, and for the communities we live in, when we see a young person who is pregnant, we should offer our support and be there for them,” she said. The 2-day Adolescent Conference brought together over 150 participants from four provinces and the City of Kigali, including adolescents, young people, policy makers and stakeholders; government institutions, Civil Society Organizations working on SRHR, SRHR adolescent champions and development partners.
