Adolescent boys and girls from various secondary schools in Bugesera District have expressed appreciation for the valuable knowledge gained during a one-day training on ‘Adolescent Advocacy and Leadership.’
Many of the participants admitted to having limited understanding of certain concepts related to sexual and reproductive health (SRH), as well as the laws and rights associated with this subject.
Organized by Ihorere Munyarwanda Organization (IMRO) Rwanda with funding support from Amplify Change, the training, held on October 20, 2024, in Bugesera District, was aimed at empowering adolescents. It strategically focused on enhancing their understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), fostering advocacy, and promoting leadership development.
Key topics covered included adolescence stages, menstrual cycles, reproductive health, SRHR, consequences of inadequate SRH knowledge, and the legal framework surrounding these issues.
André Avere Ngendahimana, a 23-year-old student from Senior Six at G.S Ntarama in Bugesera District, admitted that his knowledge of sexual and reproductive health was previously limited.
“From the training, I learned about the three stages of adolescence: young adolescence (10-14 years), old adolescence (15-19 years), and young adulthood (20-24 years). I also realized that each stage requires specific information when it comes to teaching about SRHR,” Ngendahimana shared.
He also learned about the serious consequences of lacking SRHR knowledge, such as early pregnancies, associated trauma among adolescent girls, school dropouts, and prison sentences for boys found guilty of defilement.
“The consequences of early sexual activity affect both boys and girls, with girls often dropping out of school due to pregnancy and boys facing jail time for defilement. After this training, I am committed to establishing an SRHR club at my school to help my peers. I also plan to work with local authorities to mobilize other adolescents and parents in the community,” Ngendahimana added.
Jackline Amahoro, an 18-year-old Senior Six student from Nyamata High School, expressed gratitude to IMRO for organizing the training, which she found enlightening. The session helped to dispel myths she had previously held about SRHR.
“A peer once told me that her mother’s uterus was removed by doctors due to blood loss. Today, I learned the real causes of such conditions after understanding various aspects of SRH,” Jackline explained.
Her dream is to establish a charity organization that will support adolescent girls in remote rural areas who lack access to SRHR information. As a Ugandan national, she also plans to start a similar initiative in her home country.
During the training session, Albert Niyigena, Bugesera District’s Education Officer for nursery, primary, and adult literacy, urged the students to maintain discipline and remain focused on their goals, emphasizing that SRH discipline is key to their future success.
“Discipline involves taking care of your sexual health. When you damage your SRH life, you damage your entire future. Discipline will guide your life and help you reach your goals. Be good peer educators in your schools and help prevent early pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Illnesses (STIs),” Niyigena told the students.
“Many schools don’t prioritize SRH education, even though adolescents’ bodies and sexual hormones are developing. We need to scale up these skills to help young people navigate their SRH journey and avoid negative consequences in their current and future lives,” Izabayo said.
Dr. Anicet Nzabonimpa, an expert in sexual and reproductive health, maternal, and newborn health, advised the students to be mindful of their sexual behavior, noting that children as young as 8 or 9 years old can now get pregnant due to faster physical development in today’s era.
“If a 9-year-old girl can get her period, she can also get pregnant. Pregnancy no longer relies on age—if a boy can ejaculate, he can impregnate someone. Adolescents need to be careful and avoid risky behavior,” Dr. Nzabonimpa warned.
Written by Elias Hakizima/Inspirer