Girls Hub Rwanda by Hope L

Hope Lewis

Education 2 -- Rutsiro District, Western District 

Girls Hub, a new organization located in Kigali, opened March 2011 with a focus on empowering young Rwandan women.   The organization has two pillars of government: first, the goal to reduce the population growth rate and, to give better basic health education to some of the poorest populations in Rwanda. 

Girls Hub has three programs.  The first is a health program for all Rwandan girls 12 years and older.  The second is a partnership with Nike Foundation and Rwanda Government Ministry of Health which offers a 10 month group learning experience that focuses on the dangers of adolescent pregnancy, knowing your body and HIV/STIs prevention as well as how to say “No” to sugar daddies and sugar mommies.  Lastly, they have created a magazine “Ni Nyampinga” and a radio programme of the same name that runs by girls for girls.

Girls Hub believes, as many international organizations now believe, women are the key to alleviating poverty and spurring development in countries worldwide.  Investing in a girl stops poverty before it starts.  Their mission is to empower girl’s to have their own voice and create impact at scale.  They also champion girl’s roles to influence decision maker’s actions.  Girls Hub hopes to help girls manager their reproduction health and encourages their participants to make more informed economic and social decisions.  They believe that girls who stay healthy, don’t get pregnant, and stay in school can lead very productive adult lives and can have immeasurable amounts of impact in their communities.

With a quality education and these resources, the girls of Rwanda will have a bright future both for themselves and for the development of their country.