Why Youth-Led Health Promotion Matters Now More Than Ever

In Rwanda—and across the globe—young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow. They are the leaders of today. They are changemakers, storytellers, and problem-solvers who live at the intersection of innovation, passion, and action. At Health Promotion Organization Rwanda (HPO), we are proud to put youth at the forefront of health promotion.

From fighting misinformation about reproductive health to planting trees for clean air, youth are redefining what it means to care for their communities. And in doing so, they’re reshaping the future of public health.

Why Youth Leadership in Health Promotion Is Critical

They Speak the Language of Their Peers – Whether it's on TikTok, in WhatsApp groups, or in school clubs, youth are uniquely positioned to influence one another through shared experiences and relatable language.
They Are Creative and Tech-Savvy – From game-based education like Ishema Ryanjye to digital storytelling and social campaigns, young people bring bold ideas that make health education engaging and accessible.
They Bridge the Gap Between Policy and Practice – When youth are included in decision-making, they help translate top-down health strategies into grassroots impact.

What We Do at HPO to Empower Youth

1. Youth Peer Educator Trainings

We equip young leaders with the skills to facilitate SRHR conversations, lead community fitness events, organize nutrition workshops, and mobilize for climate and health justice.

2. Partnerships with Schools and Student Associations

HPO collaborates with university associations and secondary schools to:

Host community health days
Deliver interactive workshops
Support mental health and life-skills development

"After attending the peer educator training, I started a health club in my school. Now we meet every week to talk about real issues affecting us as youth." — Liliane, 18, Huye

3. Internships and Career Support

We provide university students and fresh graduates with meaningful internships in health programs, giving them experience in:

Field research
Monitoring and evaluation
Campaign planning
Public speaking and facilitation

4. Youth in Environmental Health

HPO supports youth-led environmental initiatives, such as:

Tree planting and climate advocacy
Hygiene and WASH campaigns
Clean-up drives and green innovation challenges

From Awareness to Advocacy

HPO doesn’t just train youth to share information—we help them become advocates. Whether addressing GBV, raising awareness about HIV prevention, or challenging stigma around mental health, young leaders are at the front lines of change.

Our Results So Far

300+ youth trained as peer educators across districts
40+ schools and universities engaged
10 youth-led community health campaigns launched in 2024
Social media reach of 70,000+ impressions through youth content

The Road Ahead

We aim to expand our Youth Leadership Academy to equip even more young Rwandans with tools to lead health initiatives in their own communities. We also plan to co-create new digital health content, podcasts, and toolkits—by youth, for youth.

🎯 Are you a student leader, youth club coordinator, or creative activist who wants to make a difference? Let’s work together.

📩 Reach out to Gilles Abayo Rukundo at abayo.gilles@hporwanda.org or connect via Instagram.

References:

UNFPA: Youth Participation in Health Promotion (2022)
Rwanda Ministry of Youth and Culture: National Youth Strategy 2023–2027
HPO Youth Engagement Reports (2023–2025)