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 healthcare advocates, public health experts, clinicians (nurses, midwives, and medical doctors), mental health professionals, social workers, nutritionists, health educators, health communication specialists, human rights experts, and youth SRH champions. In addition to a local team, RHIYW's advisory committee comprises global experts in public health, research, and advocacy.
The organization is committed to ensuring that adolescents, young people, and women lead healthy lives by providing them with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their health. We prioritize empowerment, accessibility, and the quality and comprehensiveness of health services. Our initiatives align with the World Health Organization's definition of health, which views health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not just the absence of disease or infirmity.
The organization implements a variety of projects, including those focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, menstrual health, maternal health, gender-based violence, prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections, environmental health, digital health solutions, and the prevention and treatment of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, nutrition, mental health and well-being, as well as educational and empowerment programs. Additionally, we address nutrition, health research implementation, and other projects aimed at promoting the overall well-being of adolescents, youth, and women, with particular focus on the most vulnerable groups within these populations.
RHIYW works closely with public health institutions, including the Rwanda Ministry of Health/Rwanda Biomedical Center, Ministry of Youth and Arts, administrative districts, public youth centers, and other national and international organizations dedicated to healthcare, health promotion, social well-being, human rights, and social justice.
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 improve the health and well-being of adolescents, youth, and women by ensuring access to comprehensive, high-quality healthcare, education, empowerment, and support.
Mission
Strengthening institutional capacity to promote the health and well-being of adolescents, youth, and women, and providing them with the knowledge, resources, and support needed to live healthy lives.
Values
The values upheld by RHIYW include:
- Gender equality
- Equity
- Accountability
- Partnership
- Transparency
- Sustainability
- Integrity
- Creativity & Innovation
- Excellence
- Empowerment
- Inclusivity
- Collaboration
- Innovation
- Compassion
- Respect
- Age appropriate
- Culture sensitivity
- Adaptability
RHIYW's Priorities
RHIYW's priorities include:
- To strengthen the capacity of public institutions, including health facilities, youth centers, schools, Isange One Stop Centers, and others, in delivering high-quality, affordable health and well-being services, with a particular focus on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.
- Increasing access to essential health and wellness services and information, particularly in underserved or vulnerable communities.
- Conducting research, monitoring, and evaluation programs to inform health policies and practices.
- Leverage technology and digital platforms to enhance the accessibility of health and wellness services.
- Supporting the development of evidence-based clinical guidelines for various health services.
- Ensuring the availability of essential health supplies and equipment in public health facilities, youth centers, and other service provision areas.
- Strengthening the leadership capabilities of youth and women in health and well-being programs.
- Enhancing the capacity of youth peers/volunteers, community health workers, and champions for women in delivering health and well-being education and services.
- Supporting public health facilities, youth centers, and other institutions with the necessary tools and resources for health and wellness services.
- Promoting mental health support, resilience-building, and healthy lifestyle initiatives.
- Strengthening strategies and programs to enhance women’s health during pregnancy and childbirth, especially for young women.
- Ensure access to prevention, testing, and treatment services for sexually transmitted infections, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and support education campaigns around the prevention of these diseases.
- Implement community-level interventions to combat malnutrition and promote food security.
- Ensure that youth have access to education, health, and wellness services that enable them to live safe, healthy lives, free from discrimination and violence.
Partners
Partners
- Rwanda Ministry of Health (MoH)
- Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC)
- Imbuto Foundation
- Ministry of Youth and Art
- Districts / District Joint Action Development Forum (JADF) / Public Youth Centers
- 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
- Troupe des Personnes Handicapées Twuzuzanye, Rwanda (THT)
Our Approach
RHIYW implements a variety of strategies to effectively promote health and wellbeing services.
- Strengthening institutional capacity
- Empowerment through education
- Mental health and resilience-building
- Research and evidence-based practices
- Establishing strong partnerships and supporting public institutions
- Focus on hard-to-reach populations
- Community engagement and participation
- Youth involvement and implementing peer education
- Technology and innovation; leveraging digital health solutions
- Employing a client-centered approach; youth-friendly and women-centered approach
- Advocacy and policy influence
- Holistic care models
- Advocacy and policy engagement
- Collaborating with national and international public health research institutions
- Collaboration with professional organizations
- Implementing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess program effectiveness, gather feedback, and make data-informed adjustments
- Culturally sensitive services and nondiscrimination practices
- Promoting healthy lifestyles
- Mental health and resilience-building