0
0
By Clementine Nyirangaruye
Some female students at Don Bosco Gatenga TSS celebrated International Women’s Day by thanking the leadership of the Republic of Rwanda for valuing women and girls, and for granting equal rights in education.
They made this statement on March 8, 2025, during the celebrations of International Women’s Day at the school.
Tuyishime Rebecca, a fifth-year student in the water department at Don Bosco Gatenga TSS, said she is determined to work hard to earn respect as a girl.
She said, “As a student studying technical skills, I do everything I can to prove that I deserve respect. In the past, girls were not valued and they didn’t even attend school. That is why the opportunities we have now to study motivate me to work hard to earn my respect.”
Rebecca continued by praising the good leadership in Rwanda, as it has ensured gender equality in education, where both boys and girls have equal rights.
She added, “As a girl studying technical skills, I greatly appreciate our country because it has ensured gender equality. Both boys and girls are equal in rights and have the same education opportunities, which will help us in the future. Rwanda is doing a lot to ensure that a girl is respected.”
Dushime Shifa Patience, a student in the electrical department (Technical Technology), also expressed gratitude:
“This International Women’s Day made me very happy because it is the first time I’ve celebrated Women’s Day. I want to thank the leadership because, in the past, we girls believed we could not study technical fields. Today, my goal is to continue working hard, using all my energy to get good grades and achieve something.”
The gender equality officer at Don Bosco Gatenga TSS and a staff member of the “Gender Matters for Green TVET” project in Rwanda and Uganda, Uzamureba Clementine, thanked the Rwandan leadership for giving women a voice and valuing them.
“I am very happy today. Based on the theme that women are valuable, I greatly appreciate the leadership of our country for giving us a voice and valuing us. We are capable in different responsibilities.”
In the past two years, Don Bosco Gatenga TSS has increased the number of female students studying technical and vocational skills, from 11 to 200.
Through the “Gender Matters for Green TVET” project, supported by Germany and Austria, awareness and advocacy campaigns have been conducted to increase the number of girls pursuing technical and vocational education.
Some photos of the ceremony
