Tuesday 11^th October 2022, Rwanda celebrated the International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC). Globally, the IDGC is celebrated under the theme: “Our time is now—our rights, our future”. To align the theme with the current Rwandan context, the Government of Rwanda has opted to mark this important day under the theme: " My Health, My Dignity!" translated in Kinyarwanda as “Ubuzima Bwajye, Agaciro Kanjye.”

The First Lady Mrs. Jeannette Kagame joined the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl in Musanze, Northern Province. At the occasion, 784 “Inkubito z’Icyeza” were awarded. These are the best performing girls in primary and secondary school in A’ and O’ levels. This year’s awardees included those who were not awarded in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The key quote of the day: “The existence of the international day of the girl child does not mean to ignore the boys. Instead, it is an opportunity to review the steps made, and address the obstacles threatening girls, in the same journey as their brothers.” First Lady Jeannette Kagame.

The celebration of the IDGC 2022 served as a call to break barriers and limitations associated with knowledge and negative social norms related to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRH&R) that are contributing to the increase of child defilement and teenage pregnancies. The lack of/or limited information on (SRH&R) among adolescents, is a child protection concern that should attract more attention from service providers, educators, policymakers, parents, and children themselves.

“Promoting SRH&R among adolescents is everyone’s responsibility. It is very important to equip youth, boys, and girls with all needed information to protect them from sexual abuse and related consequences” said the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Prof. Jeannette Bayisenge.

“Our girls should not live in fear of sexual abuse often done by those who should protect them, school dropouts; the carelessness of some parents that result in lack of nutritional diet among others,” she added

As part of the celebration, 66 teen mothers who have resumed their studies in Musanze district were supported with school materials and hygienic tools to encourage teen mothers to resume their studies.

The International Day of the Girl was established On December 19^th, 2011, by United Nations General Assembly, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. The IDG focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.