Rwandan girl guides showed the world they want for girls
On 10.11.12 the United Nation’s celebrated the first-ever International Day of the Girl and Rwandan Girl Guides were proud to be a part of the worldwide festivities and most importantly celebrate in the dignity of the girls.
In Rwanda, the International Day of the Girl Child was celebrated under the theme ‘Young Girls, He have Agaciro.’
Agaciro (dignity or self-worth) is one of the most recognizable words in Kinyarwanda today, used by all – the mighty and lowly – and whose meaning is the same for all. Agaciro captures the very essence of humanness and has been - and continues to be - the indispensable ingredient of Rwandan community’s transformation.
Rwanda girl guides explain that the theme imbues in girls their value and her important position in the Rwandan society. They insist that Investing in girls will greatly contribute to Rwanda’s realization of the Vision 2020.
For a week AGR has proudly partnered with the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, US Embassy and Girl Hub to educate girls in primary and secondary schools so they can break the cycle of poverty and create a ripple effect of change.
On three schools in Kigali, Rwamagana and Kamonyi, Rwanda, young guides hosted open houses where students gave speeches about the importance and impact of education in their own lives, held debate competitions between boys and girls, and pictured the world they want for girls.
In addition to those activities, a number girl guides around the country participated in a national event at Kigali’s Serena Hotel on 11 October 2012. On each roundtable Rwandan government officials, UN representatives and partners who work on children’s rights seated to hear firsthand about the current challenges facing young girls in order to create the world which will better shape domestic policies around these particular concerns.
“This is the first time I sat with decision makers on the same table and influenced them to respond to my queries! The UN Women country representative promised to join the combat to end violence against girls and women. I can’t be happier!” said Sylvie Uwimana.
The day was marked through a range of activities including sketches that portray the living conditions of a girl child and challenges facing her from adolescence through the age of 30.
