Imbuto Foundation on Tuesday, November 1, launched the fifth edition of iAccelerator (Innovation Accelerator) programme with a focus on engaging the youth in finding innovative solutions to sexual reproductive and mental health issues. The programme was launched during a youth forum themed “Enhancing family dialogue on sexual reproductive health and mental health, to drive parent-children or adolescent discussions in addressing such pressing issues in society. TheiAccelerator is a mentorship-driven programme designed to provide young entrepreneurs with seed funding, training and skills development so they can generate original and groundbreaking responses to different social challenges. It aims to respond to challenges related to sexual and reproductive health, sexuality education, family planning, maternal health, mental health, and other population development issues while promoting social entrepreneurship among young people aged between 18-30 years old. Speaking at the launch, Sandrine Umutoni, Director General of Imbuto Foundation, said that as the youth embark on a new health challenge, it should be characterised by vitality and education. “And I hope it will capitalize on the promises and progress made by our country to see our youth live in dignified communities.” She went on to question them: How many of you sit with your families to discuss your feelings or share views on sexual reproductive health and how many of you fear that you have a safe space in your families to discuss mental health? Families are the foundation of discipline and a mentally healthy society, she added. Kwabena Asante-Ntiamoah, UNFA Country Representative, said the iAccelerator has generated innovative and unique solutions for young people in the country. There is a silent pandemic of teenage pregnancy, he noted, “the initiatives we are developing should also see how best in addressing some of these challenges we are facing.” Mireille Batamuliza, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, noted that disrupted mental health does not only affect an individual but the society at large. Hence, she added that discussions should be more solution-oriented rather than pointing out the issues only. Crispine Niyonshima, a 19-year-old student in IPRC Kicukiro and one of young people planning to participate in the contest, said she will present a project that seeks to tackle unwanted teenage pregnancy. According to her, the poor understanding of sexual reproductive health is mainly seen in families in rural areas where parents don’t grasp the concept of sitting down with their children to discuss about the topic and even the children themselves are shy to bring up the discussion. Emmanuel Rwema Uwayo, Youth Coordinator in Kicukiro District, is of the view that to effectively address the issue, proper discussions on sexual reproductive health should be prepared with consideration of different age ranges of youth. This will also help parents to know the kind of discussion to have with their children as they pass through the growing phases of life, he said. The contest, inaugurated in 2016, is implemented through collaboration between the Imbuto Foundation, the Ministry of Youth and Culture, KOICA and UNFPA. Under the programme, entrepreneurs apply and 40 applicants are selected to undergo preliminary pitching and boot camp before 10 finalists compete for four winner positions. The fourth edition of iAccelerator saw four young innovators $10,000 grand prize each after pitching innovative ideas that promote sexual reproductive and mental health.
