In celebration of International Women’s Day, students from Green TVT Don Bosco Gatenga TSS were awarded prizes recognizing their strength and dedication in continuing to advocate for women’s rights and promoting the advancement of young girls in society.
The event, held on March 8, 2025, aimed to highlight the role of women in the development of the social and economic well-being of society. Students who excelled in various competitions shared their experiences and demonstrated their determination to help the country achieve its goals in women’s development.
Some of the factors that helped them achieve these awards included their efforts in fighting against violence, supporting gender equality, and working hard to improve living conditions. The day also served as a moment to reflect on the progress made in addressing the challenges women face in their lives, as well as supporting initiatives that uplift women in different sectors.
One of the award-winning students, a Level 5 water technology student, stated that on this day, she strives to work hard to demonstrate her value. “In the past, girls were not valued, and we didn’t even attend school. That’s why we must use the opportunities we have to study and show that we deserve to be recognized, both as students and as women,” she said.
She further praised the country for implementing gender equality policies, stating that both girls and boys now have equal opportunities in education and the workplace. “The rights we’ve been given, including the diplomas we receive, will help us in the future, and this is why I thank our leaders for giving us value as girls studying in technical fields,” she added.
She encouraged other girls who are hesitant about pursuing vocational studies, saying, “The first step is to do what you love. Remove your fear, believe in yourself, and you will see that you are capable. We never thought we could excel in technical fields, but we believed in ourselves, and now we know we can succeed just as much as boys.”
Shifa Patience, another award recipient, also expressed her joy in celebrating Women’s Day for the first time. She acknowledged the many opportunities that women now have, thanks to leadership and advocacy, compared to the past when girls weren’t encouraged to pursue technical education. “Our parents support us, and we now have equal opportunities to pursue studies and succeed,” she said. “Girls should stop clinging to old misconceptions and take advantage of the opportunities available to them now. Vocational studies are accessible, and girls can achieve the same goals as boys.”
She also shared her vision for her future, emphasizing the importance of education and hard work. “Even though many obstacles remain, especially in the job market, I am committed to continuing my studies, working hard to earn good grades, and achieving my goals. The future of women in Rwanda depends on our efforts today.”
Isimbi Agrella, another award recipient, mentioned that she is motivated by the desire to excel in her career and support the advancement of other girls. “The first step is to believe in myself. Once I finish school, I will continue my passion for singing and poetry while pursuing a career in culinary arts, which will help me further develop and support other girls,” she said. “On this Women’s Day, I am grateful to our government, because without its support, girls would still be treated as second-class citizens.”
The Gender Officer in charge of the Gender Matters for Green TVET project, Clementine Uzamureba, praised the students who excelled and expressed confidence that they would not let anything hinder the progress of women’s development. She also emphasized that the girls had proved they could succeed just as well as boys in various fields. “We are capable, and this event shows that girls can excel in fields like electricity and plumbing, just as well as boys,” she said.
Uzamureba highlighted the progress made, noting that just two years ago, the school had only 11 girls enrolled, but now more than 200 girls are studying at Green TVT Don Bosco Gatenga. She also mentioned that the community’s perception of girls’ education is changing, as more parents are recognizing that girls can succeed in technical fields. “We are still working on advocacy, and the community is slowly changing its mindset. We are encouraged by the increasing number of girls excelling,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to NESA (National Examinations and School Authority), which sends girls every year to study. “Our goal is to continue this progress, even though we haven’t reached the target we want yet. We hope that in the next four years, we will have as many girls as boys enrolled in technical schools,” she added.
The Gender Matters for Green TVET program, which operates in Rwanda and Uganda, is supported by German and Australian organizations. It focuses on advocacy, counseling, and promoting girls’ education. It also provided awards, including school supplies such as bags and notebooks.
On March 8 each year, International Women’s Day is celebrated worldwide. In Rwanda, this day was celebrated under the theme “A Woman is Valuable in the Struggle for Positive Change in the Lives of Women.”
Shiffa Patience, Isimbi Grella, and Bella are among those awarded prizes by the Gender Officer.
The students who received awards expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to be recognized and emphasized the importance of continuing to support and promote women in all areas of life. The event showcased the diverse talents of girls, including singing, reciting poetry, and performing traditional dances. Among them, some shared with a Sound of Africa reporter how proud they are of the way Alex Muyoboke supports the development of young talents, and they expressed a desire for him to visit them to help nurture their abilities further.
