Fawe to intensify reproductive health education in schools

Kayonza–FAWE-Rwanda has started a programme to promote adolescent sexual reproductive health education in Rwandan schools.FAWE is an acronym for Forum for African Women Educationists, with the main objective of promoting girl-child education. The body’s local chapter is expected to invest in a three year project to the tune of approximately $114,000, according to Lisette Isugi Mugengano an official from the NGO.Addressing the media after a three-day training of 40 adolescents from different schools, Mugengano, said adolescents need accurate and comprehensive education about sexuality, to practice healthy sexual behaviour.She said the awareness would check exploitative sexual activities that lead to health and social problems.Mugengano also said the project will equip students with life skills. “(Reproductive sexual education) develops young people’s ability to become well-adjusted, responsible and productive members of society. Students aged 12 and below 25 are our targets.”According to the official, the students will also be educated on their rights.“We expose them to critical thinking so that they can say no to a wrong and yes to a right. Most children fall prey to predators because they can’t say no”.Marireine Kabarenzi, a teacher at Kawangire Catholic Church Primary school, said the project would help girls keep in school.She said in some cases, girls dropped out of school because of their general ignorance on girls’ sexual reproductive changes.“Girls, who start their menstruation first time at school, are ridiculed and laughed at by their colleagues, either boys or girls. Some decide to drop out of school.The main reason is lack of awareness from young boys and girls who find the healthy biological changes strange,” she said.FAWE kickstarted the campaign in five schools in Kayonza District.

National

Fawe to intensify reproductive health education in schools