Youth leaders from various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Friday completed a two-day training in advocacy.The training is part of a regional exercise aimed at building capacity to improve Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) by enabling the youth participate in national decision making.“Young people lack the skills or ability to communicate and effectively advocate for their needs. This greatly affects their effective involvement in contributing towards civic processes,” said Basile Bayihiki, a Youth Member of Parliament.Speaking to Sunday Times, trainees said the skills acquired will help them resist temptations through which they can be infected with HIV.“From what I have acquired in the training, I am sure I can not only advocate, but also guide my fellow youth to not engage in actions that might lead them in to contracting HIV and other similar diseases,” said Jacky Nkwihoreze, who represented Rwandans Allied for Peace and Progress (RAPP).Florien Harindimana the project coordinator called on trainees to put in practices what they had learnt.“It is your responsibility too, as leaders, to work with us in making sure the young generation fights victoriously against its challenges, especially to sensitize against engaging in affairs that can easily ruin their lives,” he said.
