Mount Kenya University Rwanda (MKUR) marked the 2023 International Women’s Day with students and staff of Lycée Notré Dame de Cîteaux School in Kigali with a donation of over 1,000 sanitary pads to the girls

In his message to mark the day, the Vice-Chancellor designate, Prof. Edwin Odhuno applauded the Rwandan government for empowering women. He wished women a happy women’s day and urged them to continue pursuing their dreams and aspirations.

"According to a reports, the World Bank is seeking for innovative solutions to help women and girls unleash their human capital and become leaders, entrepreneurs and agents of change for green, resilient and inclusive. At MKUR, we are committed to empower the girl child through education and collaborating with organizations like Imbuto Foundation through the Scholarship ‘Edified Generation’ to educate the girl child,” he said.

This year’s International Women’s Day, marked under the theme "Digital, Innovation and technology for gender equality”, presented the opportunity for the university women staff from the School of Health Sciences to educate the students on issues related to career guidance, hygiene, menstrual cycle and teenage behaviour.

Joyce Kirabo, the dean of students, said the university will always go an extra mile to sensitize the girls about choosing their careers.

"For those of you who have made a career decision, you need to work towards it to attain the maximum results. Making the right career decision at the right time makes a lot of difference. It is advisable to take guidance on choosing the right career, right from the beginning,” Kirabo said.

Mary Kura from the School of Nursing urged the girls to refrain from taking drugs and observe a decent dress code. "Your dress code while at school tells a lot about you. When you dress well following your school dress code, it helps you to concentrate more on your academic and co-curricular activities and learning becomes more interesting and relevant,” she said.

Kura also told students to avoid taking drugs. "Young people who take drugs end up experiencing an array of problems, including academic difficulties and health related problems including mental health and poor peer relationships. As future leaders of this nation, refrain from taking drugs. Engage yourself in meaningful activities such as sports,” she said. As part of its corporate social responsibility, MKUR frequently visits schools to sensitize the youth about the dangers of taking drugs.

The Rwandan government has set up strategies to fight against drug trafficking and abuse. Some of the strategies include setting up rehabilitation centers that also offer vocational skills to former drug abusers and campaigns about the dangers of taking drugs.

Dr. Clemance Nishimwe said apart from avoiding drugs, keeping clean is also an important part of staying healthy. "It is always good for you to maintain basic hygiene such as washing your hands, cleaning your body and teeth, covering your mouth when coughing and managing your periods,” she told the students.

The school’s headmistress, Antoinette Mukeshimana thanked MKUR for the good gesture they showed to the school and students. She wished women a happy International Women’s day. MKUR donated over 1,000 sanitary pads to the girls.