IWEHA VISITED YOUNG GIRLS IN SHYIRA SECTOR, NYABIHU DISTRICT, RWANDA

On September 2, 2025, the Initiative for Women Equity in Health Access (IWEHA) conducted its very first community outreach in Shyira Sector, Nyabihu District, under the theme “Her Health, Her Dignity: Understanding and Managing Menstruation with Confidence.”

The Heart of IWEHA

The event marked a milestone for IWEHA, bringing our mission to life; ensuring that women and girls, especially those in underserved communities, get equitable access to health information and services. Our vision is to see every girl and woman empowered with knowledge, dignity, and confidence to make informed health decisions.

A Campaign Rooted in Dignity and Confidence

The campaign aimed to equip adolescent girls with accurate, age-appropriate knowledge on menstrual health, dismantle harmful myths, and provide them with practical tools to manage menstruation with dignity and confidence. Our initial goal was to reach 100 girls between the ages of 12–22, but at the end of the day, we had welcomed 118 participants, a reminder of how immense the need is for such conversations, especially in local communities with the least chance of accessing accurate sexual and reproductive health information.

Building Knowledge Through Active Engagement

The day began with welcoming remarks, an introduction to IWEHA mission and vision; setting into the warm mode with youth-engaging music. The educational session combined a briefing video by Roses and Doses by IWEHA (Our YouTube Channel) about Menstrual Cycle, with Group Discussions and live demonstrations on proper pad use and disposal.

Myths Meet Facts

One of the most impactful sessions was the myth-busting game, where girls voiced common myths and misconceptions about menstruation; 

“You cannot hold a newborn while menstruating unless a thread is tied on the baby’s arm.”
“When a girl is on her periods and goes near a boy, the boy can sense it.”
“You cannot get pregnant during your periods.”
“If your flow is light, one pad can be used for the whole day.”
“Menstrual blood comes from the same passage as urine, so tampons are unsafe.”
“Taking pain medication for menstrual cramps is dangerous since it can make pain worse over time.”
“A girl on her periods cannot milk a cow otherwise the milk will spoil.”
“A girl on her periods cannot peel bananas intended for making urwagwa, traditional banana beer.”
Hearing these misconceptions directly from the girls was both surprising and thought provoking, reminding us how misinformation continues to limit their dignity, health, and participation in day-to-day activities. But as we corrected them with scientific facts, the room shifted from silence and curiosity to open conversation and confidence

118 Ambassadors of Confidence and Dignity

The energy continued to build, when the girls eagerly rode the Q&A session, asking thoughtful questions about menstruation and reproductive health. To ensure they left with both knowledge and resources, each girl received a menstrual kit and a cycle-tracking calendar.
Beyond numbers, this outreach created a safe space for dialogue and gave girls the confidence to talk about menstruation openly, replacing shame with dignity. Most importantly, it confirmed the power of awareness: When women are aware, they make informed decisions about their health and bodies, thus glowing with confidence and ready to contribute to their personal growth and community well-being.

The day closed with a powerful message of encouragement:“Periods are normal. You are powerful. You are not alone.” The event left Shyira with 118 ambassadors, ready to share what they learned with relatives at home, colleagues at school, and community members at large, breaking the silence around menstrual health.

This Is Just the Beginning

Organizing the event was not without challenges; fundraising and logistics required patience and persistence, but the overwhelming support we received, be it through financial contributions, ideas, prayers, not forgetting community mobilization, all reaffirmed the power of collective effort.
But this was just the beginning. IWEHA is committed to reaching more underserved communities, ensuring that no girl is left behind in accessing accurate reproductive health information. The belief is that with each outreach, we are not only teaching but also planting seeds of confidence, dignity, and equity.

Thank You For Walking With Us

We are deeply grateful to everyone who stood with us in making this step possible. Together, we will continue to create safe spaces where girls can learn, grow, and thrive.

May blessings follow you as we journey this path together.