Leaders under Girl Leaders’ Forum (GLF) are undergoing training on how to address social issues confronting girls and developing their capacity in various ways of life.The GLF, which aims at developing cultural and leadership values among female students, is made up of female students leaders at various schools, unions and associations.GLF also has an advisory board made up of mothers and women religious pastors.GLF, together with Rwanda Governance Board, is training university students in leadership skills, governance practices, gender issues and reproductive health, among others.Prof. Anastase Shyaka, the RGB chief executive, said the initiative will go a long way in improving the behavior of female students as future leaders.“We hope that if this group is supported, it will save lives of many misguided students in higher learning institutions which will by extension impact on nation-building,” said Prof. Shyaka.Needs of female studentsHe suggested that the leadership of GLF extend the initiative to all higher learning institutions and to secondary schools so that young girls who join university can be informed of what they should do to build their future, their families and the country.Rosette Nkundimfura, the GLF legal representative, said the initiative was hatched after the GLF leadership realised that most university female students remain passive on matters of leadership, which affects them upon graduation.“We noticed that some girls misbehave and engage in acts like prostitution, idleness and drug abuse, among others. We needed to act,” she said.“This Forum should be committed to make a difference and build a new image of university girls to restore trust in them.”Among issues affecting girl students include unwanted pregnancies, vulnerability to HIV/Aids, school dropout, drug abuse and general poor performance in schools.
