About us

RWANDA HEALTH INITIATIVE FOR YOUTH AND WOMEN (RHIYW)

Rwanda Health Initiative for youth and women is a non-governmental, non-profit organization focusing specifically on improving the lives of adolescents, young people and women.

HISTORY AND OVERVIEW

RHIYW is a Rwandan non-governmental organization born out of the passion and involvement of clinicians (nurses, midwives, and medical doctors), healthcare advocates, public health experts, and youth SRH champions. The organization aims to ensure adolescents, young people, and women live healthy lives by empowering individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. RHIYW ensures that high-quality reproductive health services are available and accessible to all youth and women, including services related to adolescent sexual and reproductive health, menstrual health, maternal health, contraception, support for survivors of gender-based violence, and prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections.

RHIYW is committed to fostering a supportive environment where every young person and woman can access the sexual and reproductive healthcare they need, advancing a healthier future. In collaboration with its partners, the organization implements a range of interventions in sexual and reproductive health, focusing on adolescents and maternal health.

The organization employs efficient and sustainable strategies to minimize impacts and promptly reduce health risks associated with unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, gender-based and sexual violence, inadequate antenatal, perinatal, and postnatal care, and sexually transmitted diseases.

RHIYW works closely with public health institutions, primarily the Rwanda Ministry of Health/Rwanda Biomedical Center, and other national and international organizations dedicated to healthcare, health promotion, human rights, and social justice.

In addition to a local team of public health experts, gynecologists, medical doctors, nurses, midwives, mental health specialists, social workers, and youth champions for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), RHIYW's advisory committee comprises global experts in SRHR, public health, and advocacy.

RHIYW operates in several districts in Rwanda and has two offices: a satellite office in Musanze District in the Northern Province and a headquarters office in Kicukiro District of Kigali.


RHIYW's Vision, Mission, and Values

Vision

To promote the health and well-being of adolescents, young people, and women, implementing SRH projects aimed at preventing unintended pregnancies, gender-based and sexual violence, sexually transmitted diseases, maternal disabilities, and maternal deaths. RHIYW is committed to reinforcing the capacity of public institutions in providing high-quality, affordable sexual reproductive health (SRH) services.

Mission

To ensure that adolescents, young people, and women live healthy lives by implementing projects aimed at preventing unintended pregnancies, gender-based & sexual violence, sexually transmitted diseases, and maternal disabilities and maternal deaths. RHIYW applies high-impact interventions and innovations to save lives of adolescents, youth, and women.

Values

The values upheld by RHIYW include:

  1. Gender equality
  2. Equity
  3. Accountability
  4. Partnership
  5. Transparency
  6. Sustainability
  7. Integrity
  8. Creativity & Innovation
  9. Excellence


RHIYW's Priorities

RHIYW's priorities include:

  1. To reinforce the capacity of public institutions in providing high-quality, affordable SRH services.
  2. Supporting public youth centers, youth corners, and other community spaces in providing high-quality, confidential, and comprehensive SRH education and services.
  3. Strengthening strategies and programs to enhance women’s health during pregnancy and childbirth, especially for adolescent girls and young women.
  4. Implementing innovative interventions for youth-friendly SRH services in rural areas.
  5. Conducting research, monitoring, and evaluation programs to inform SRH and maternal health policies and practices.
  6. Introducing digital tools to improve access to SRH and maternal health services.
  7. Providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Health in reducing maternal mortality from unsafe abortion, sexual violence, and STDs.
  8. Supporting the creation of evidence-based clinical guidelines for various SRH services.
  9. Enhancing the effectiveness of Isange One Stop Centers and public health facilities in supporting GBV victims.
  10. Advocating for family planning services, with a focus on long-term contraceptive methods.
  11. Ensuring availability of high-quality sexual and maternal health commodities in public health facilities.
  12. Expanding SRH services in rural areas served by faith-based health facilities.
  13. Improving accessibility of SRH services for high-risk youth groups, including teen mothers and sex workers.
  14. Strengthening leadership capabilities of young people in SRH programs, especially for adolescent girls and young women.
  15. Enhancing the capacity of community health workers in delivering reproductive health education and services.
  16. Implementing strategies to combat gender discrimination and sexual violence.
  17. Supporting public health facilities with the necessary tools and resources for SRH services.

Partners

  • Rwanda Ministry of Health (MoH)
  • Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC)
  • Imbuto Foundation
  • Ministry of Youth and Art
  • Districts / District Joint Action Development Forum (JADF)
  • Bixby center, University of California Berkeley
  • The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
  • Rwanda Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RSOG)
  • Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecology (RCOG)
  • IPAS Africa alliance
  • KASHA
  • Preston Werner Ventures
  • Venture Strategies for Health and Development (VSHD)
  • Hesperian Health Guides
  • Great Lakes Initiatives for Human Rights and Development (GLIHD)
  • Action of Men for Gender Equality in Rwanda (AMEGERWA)
  • Nurses and Midwives professional organizations


Our Approach

RHIYW implements a variety of strategies to effectively promote sexual reproductive health services.

  1. Capacity Building; Training Healthcare Providers and Organizational Development.
  2. Research and Evidence-Based Practices; Conduct Research and Data Utilization.
  3. Establishing strong partnerships and supporting public health institutions in project implementation.
  4. Focus on hard-to-reach populations, including marginalized groups, adolescents, and low-income communities, to ensure equitable access to SRH services.
  5. Community Engagement and Participation; including Promoting adolescents and youth participation.
  6. Technology and Innovation; Digital Health Solutions.
  7. Comprehensive Education and Awareness and Implementing peer education activities.
  8. Employing a client-centered approach.
  9. Prioritizing confidentiality and privacy.
  10. Integrated Service Delivery; Holistic Care Models and Youth-Friendly Services.
  11. Empowering health care providers in service, including nurses, midwives, medical doctors, and others.
  12. Advocacy and Policy Engagement.
  13. Collaborating with national and international public health research institutions.
  14. Collaboration with health care professional organizations.
  15. Support Services; Counseling, Support, and referrals.
  16. Implement robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess program effectiveness, gather feedback, and make data-informed adjustments.
  17. Train staff to provide culturally sensitive services that respect the diverse backgrounds of clients.