Country
Rwanda
Organisation
AKWOS
Key Words
Sports, Rwanda, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Women empowerment, Gender equality.
Themes
-
- Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
- Empowerment of Women and Girls in and through PEPAS
- Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and/or Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG)
- Mental and Physical Health and Wellbeing
Summary/Overview
The Association of Kigali Women in Sports (AKWOS) empowers teenage mothers in Rwanda by combining sports, education, and healthcare. AKWOS’ mission is to ensure young women have access to safe spaces where they can learn about Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and Gender-based Violence (GBV) – promoting gender equality, building confidence and leadership, and preventing teen pregnancies. The initiative is supported by local and international partners, AKWOS fosters leadership, inclusion, and social change by tackling both the causes and consequences of teenage pregnancy through a holistic approaches. AKWOS remains committed to culturally responsive, community-driven approaches that ensure long-term impact. By training both young girls and boys as peer educators and working closely with local leaders, we’ve built a powerful model of peer-to-peer learning—one that’s not only effective, but scalable for others working in similar contexts.
Problem Statement
Teenage pregnancy affects 5% of girls aged 15-19 in Rwanda, making it amajor public health and social issue. Teenage pregnancy is a major disruptor to girls and women’s education, health, and future dreams and opportunities. Many young mothers are forced to leave school and face economic hardship, trapping them in cycles of poverty and financial dependency.
Limited access to sexual and reproductive health education, services, and safe care is a key driver of teenage pregnancy. Although abortion has been partially decriminalized in some cases, access remains restricted for many women and girls. As a result, many young women have limited access to trained medical professionals, health care facilities and are left with few safe options, turning to dangerous methods to end unintended pregnancies.
Moreover, access to contraception for teenage girls is a sensitive issue. Proposals to allow contraception from the age of 15 have been debated, but resistance remains, particularly in rural communities where traditional and religious norms can be deeply rooted.
About the Programme
AKWOS, through funding from The Association des Maires Francophones (and the District of Rubavu, acts as an operational partner with several key objectives. Firstly, it seeks to reduce unwanted early pregnancies. Secondly, it aims to improve access to maternal, reproductive, and sexual health care across the district. The association also works to enhance the autonomy and social inclusion of teenage mothers. Finally, it focuses on raising awareness within the community about sexual and reproductive rights, early pregnancies, the associated health risks, and the financial and social implications.
The project consists of various activities. Since it uses sports as a tool for inclusion and women’s empowerment, its first main component is socio-educational, focusing on the creation and support of 30 sports clubs and community groups specifically designed for teenage mothers. The clubs and groups provide a structured space for regular sports practice, community engagement, tournaments, awareness-raising activities, and discussion groups.
A key component of the project has been the improvement of access to sexual, reproductive, and maternal healthcare. By building health centres directly within local communities, the initiative has enabled adolescent girls to benefit from essential medical services such as prenatal consultations, vaccinations, and ongoing healthcare. These efforts have not only reduced health risks for both young mothers and their children but have also contributed to a notable decrease in early pregnancies and improved the overall well-being of adolescents.
The programme also focuses strongly on economic empowerment. Teenage mothers received training on their rights and were supported in building the skills and confidence needed to care for themselves and their children. Many were provided with small livestock, offering a sustainable source of income and a pathway to financial independence. This approach helps break the cycle of dependency and creates opportunities for long-term stability.
Alongside direct support to beneficiaries, the project has worked to shift community attitudes towards gender equality. Through awareness campaigns, radio broadcasts, and sports events featuring themes on women’s rights, AKWOS has sparked important conversations and strengthened local knowledge around issues of gender-based violence and young women’s rights. This increased awareness among community members and leaders lays the groundwork for broader social and legal change.
Central to the initiative are the sports clubs created specifically for teenage girls. These clubs provide safe and inclusive spaces where young people can express themselves, build confidence, and engage with their peers. In addition to promoting healthy behaviours, the clubs have created employment opportunities linked to the organisation of sporting activities, and some girls have even progressed to professional careers in sport across different divisions.
Finally, the project has invested in youth leadership by training adolescents on gender-based violence. These young people have become role models and peer educators, sharing their knowledge with others and playing an active role in supporting project activities. As focal points in their communities, they help to sustain engagement and ensure the long-term impact of the initiative.
Outcomes
AKWOS’ main objective is to reduce unwanted early pregnancies among adolescents through the power of sports in partnership with the Association des Maires Francophones (AIMF) and the Rwandan District of Rubavu.
Improved access to maternal, reproductive, and sexual health care across the district
- Partnered with 30 clubs and groups to create structured spaces that support regular sports practice, community engagement, tournaments, awareness campaigns, and facilitated discussion groups.
- Built 3 health centers and 2 maternity centers enabling access to prenatal consultations, vaccinations, and ongoing healthcare.
Enhanced autonomy and social inclusion through economic empowerment and confidence building
- Supported 285 teenage mothers and young men with rights-based training, life skills development, and confidence-building.
- Distributed livestock to generate sustainable income and work toward financial independence.
- Trained 300 adolescents on gender-based violence and youth leadership
Raised community awareness about sexual and reproductive rights, early pregnancy risks, and the social and economic impacts.
- Conducted 5 awareness campaigns through radio broadcasts, and sports events featuring women’s rights themes
Challenges
- The program faces challenges such as cultural resistance and limited resources. Some communities are hesitant to embrace gender equality initiatives, and funding constraints limit the program’s reach. To overcome these challenges, we continue to engage with community leaders and seek additional funding opportunities.
Successes
The AKWOS programme has made significant strides in promoting gender equality and reducing stigma towards adolescent girls and young mothers in the Rubavu district. By creating inclusive spaces through sports clubs and community groups, improving access to SRHR, and providing livestock to support women in achieving financial independence, the initiative has empowered girls to regain confidence, visibility, and a sense of agency within their communities.
The initiative has also contributed to challenging harmful stereotypes and opening up conversations around gender norms. Community members and local leaders are reportedly more informed about gender-based violence and reproductive rights. This shift has helped foster a more supportive environment—one in which discrimination is, hopefully, gradually being replaced by empowerment and respect.
Lessons
The challenges faced by the organisation highlight the broader importance of adapting to, understanding, and respecting local contexts when implementing intervention programmes. They also underscore the need for ongoing dialogue, flexibility, and culturally responsive approaches to ensure the programme’s relevance and long-term impact. Additionally, these challenges point to the necessity of continuous programme monitoring, which requires not only adequate funding and effective coordination, but also trained personnel capable of passing on knowledge and sustaining activities over time.
AKWOS has demonstrated a particularly effective strategy in this regard by working closely with local agents and training adolescents who, in turn, have become peer educators within their communities. This peer-to-peer knowledge sharing model has proven to be a key strength of the programme and offers a valuable lesson for others working in similar contexts.
It is also worth noting that AKWOS has chosen to act on multiple fronts simultaneously addressing complex and deeply rooted societal issues such as early pregnancy, gender-based violence, and economic marginalisation. Despite the scale and difficulty of these challenges, the organisation has successfully implemented a wide range of impactful and inspiring activities. One important takeaway is that in local contexts, aiming high can indeed, lead to significant and meaningful change.
Authors & Disclaimer
Good Practice Story (GPS) based on AKWOS available information, notably the association’s PowePoint presented at the 44th Associtation Internationale des Maires francophones (AIMF) congress held in Lausanne in 2024. The writters of the GPS also have the support and consent of the association.
Edited by the GO team.
References
Powerpoint Presentation (21 May 2024 version) Presentation AKWOS _AIMF
https://lecanape.rw/rwanda-sante-grossesses-precoces-un-defi/ Consulted on 13 March 2025
Rwanda : un projet de loi autorisant la contraception dès l’âge de 15 ans fait débat – Un regard chrétien sur l’actualité – La Croix International Consulted on13 March 2025
Le Rwanda veut autoriser la contraception à partir de 15 ans | Tribune de Genève
VIDÉO. Le Rwanda : la difficile lutte contre les grossesses précoces | TV5MONDE – Informations Consulted on 13 March 2025
CRMRWDF15-RwandaQuandLAvortementUnCrime.pdf Consulted on the 13 March 2025
Rwanda : vers l’autorisation de la contraception dès 15 ans pour réduire les grossesses précoces Consulted on 13 March 2025
Rubavu:Lancement du projet de prévention des grossesses non désirées chez les adolescentes par le sport #rwanda #RwOT Condulted on 13 March 2025
Rwanda Demographic Health Survey (2019/2020), Consulted on 16 April 2025