Breaking the Silence: Rwandan Teachers Lead a Revolution in Sexuality Education Through Happy Family Rwanda Organization Training.

For many years, discussing sexual and reproductive health in Rwandan schools and society has been a sensitive subject, often avoided due to cultural and religious taboos. But today, a new move of change is sweeping across the country. Through a groundbreaking teacher training program organized by Happy Family Rwanda in partnership with Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) and UNESCO under the “Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future” program, educators are gaining knowledge, skills, and confidence to teach Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in a responsible and effective way. The training specifically targets teachers in Teacher Training Center (TTC), preparing them to become champions of youth-friendly, inclusive, and fact-based sexuality education.

Recently, Over 80 teachers from Teacher Training center (TTC) across Rwanda came together in an intensive training held in Kigali. The goal is to empower them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to teach sexuality education in a culturally sensitive but scientifically accurate way arming students with the tools to make informed life choices and protect their health and futures. The initiative recognizes that future teachers need solid grounding in these topics to help the next generation of students make informed and safe decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

One of the participants, Muhoracyeye Asumpta, a teacher from TTC Nyamata in Bugesera District, shared how this training opened her eyes and changed her mindset.

“Before attending this training, I thought it was only men who should talk to boys about sexual health. I never felt confident enough to speak to male students about their bodies or sexuality, but now, I feel empowered. I have learned that I, too, have a role to play in guiding both boys and girls on how to understand and protect their bodies.” She Said.

After the training, Asumpta plans to launch a Gender Club at her school to reach more students and even fellow teachers with life-saving knowledge. “Before, I could barely talk to girls, and even then, I skipped many important details. Now, I can explain in depth how both boys and girls can take responsibility for their bodies and decisions I will start a gender club at our school where both teachers and students can openly talk about these issues. It’s time to break the silence.” she added.

Frère Christian Usengimana, a teacher at TTC Kirambo, emphasized how the training boosted his self-confidence and changed his teaching approach.

“This training helped me overcome the fear of using real terms when talking about sexuality. I used to avoid mentioning certain topics in class because I thought it was inappropriate. But I’ve realized it’s our responsibility as teachers to provide clear and honest information. Now I plan to integrate CSE topics into my daily lessons and also share this knowledge with my fellow teachers, especially those who couldn’t attend the training.”

He added that the information he gained would benefit both his own students and those in nearby schools.

Ntibizerwa Javier, a representative from REB’s national reproductive health desk, emphasized the strategic importance of training teachers from TTC institutions. “We target these schools because they produce the future teachers of Rwanda. By empowering them now, we ensure CSE will reach every corner of the education system. Many young people fall into life-changing traps, unplanned pregnancies or HIV, simply because they lack accurate information,” he said.

Javier highlight that part of REB’s mission is to normalize open, respectful dialogue about sexuality in schools. “For too long, our culture treated reproductive health like a forbidden topic. But silence leads to harm. We are reversing that.”

Mukayirege Juliane, who heads the division of inclusive education and special needs at REB, explained the layered approach being used. “We train teachers to deliver content based on the child’s development stage. Every year, students receive age-appropriate lessons on body autonomy, consent, sexual health, and decision-making. The curriculum also teaches values like respect and responsibility,” she said.

She added that CSE is more than just biology. “We cover how students can plan for the future, avoid harmful behaviors like drug abuse or early sex, and how to handle peer pressure. Teachers are also trained to prevent and respond to sexual violence, and to teach children how to stay safe from harm even outside school.”

Despite its importance, CSE still faces resistance. “People confuse sexuality education with promoting immorality. But that’s wrong,” said Nsengimana Rafiki Justin, Executive Director of Happy Family Rwanda Organization. “We are training teachers to understand that sexuality education is not pornography or immorality. It’s life-saving knowledge,” Rafiki said. “CSE includes many topics: hygiene, preventing HIV and STIs, understanding consent, gender equality, and avoiding sexual violence. Unfortunately, many people still believe that talking about sex with young people encourages bad behavior. That’s not true. In fact, avoiding these conversations causes more harm.”

He acknowledged the cultural resistance they face but said change is possible.
“Changing mindsets is a journey. We are now seeing progress. We’ve already trained over 210 teachers, and our target is to reach 720 by the end of the year. The trained teachers will go on to train others, multiplying the impact across the country.”

Rafiki also emphasized the link between CSE and the prevention of teen pregnancies, sexual abuse, and HIV infections.

A 2024 report by the Rwanda Ministry of Health indicated that 1 in 5 adolescent girls aged 15–19 had experienced pregnancy many of them unplanned. Meanwhile, the HIV prevalence rate among youth aged 15–24 is estimated at 1.4%, with the majority citing lack of information as the main reason for engaging in unsafe sex.

By reaching future teachers, the program is amplifying its impact. “Each trained TTC teacher will influence hundreds more. It’s a ripple effect,” said Nsengimana.

By Hadjara Nshimiyimana.