Empowered Women, Stronger Nation: Don Bosco Gatenga TSS Champions Girls’ Enrollment in Technical Education

Every year on March 8th, the whole world celebrates International Women’s Day. To commemorate the day, celebrations were held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Don Bosco Gatenga Technical Secondary School (Gatenga TSS). The event, which marked International Women’s Day, was attended by students, teachers, school administrators, journalists, and local leaders.

The day was celebrated under the theme: “Umugore ni uw’agaciro – Empowered Women, Stronger Nation.” The main objective was to encourage girls to be self-confident and to increase their participation in vocational and technical education.

Clementine UZAMUREBA, the Gender Officer at the school, revealed that visible progress has been made in increasing the number of girls studying vocational and technical trades. She noted that in the 2022–2023 academic year, there were only 55 girls, but this number has now reached 209 in the 2025–2026 academic year, while the school has a total of 534 students.

She said: “Today we are pleased that the confidence of girls has increased greatly. Even in academics, many girls have started to perform better than boys. The increase in the number of girls in vocational schools is no longer an issue; rather, the challenge lies in providing them with adequate infrastructure, including modern learning spaces and dormitories.”

Annie IRANKUNDA, a 2014 graduate of Don Bosco Gatenga Technical Secondary School, shared that studying vocational trades during her time was not easy, especially for girls. She recalled: “I was in a class with 17 boys and two girls. Later, the other girl left, and I was left alone, studying electricity. It was difficult because some people discouraged me, but because I knew my goal, I persevered and achieved it.”

Annie greatly thanked the Salesians who helped her in her educational journey, supporting her until she reached her goals. She is now a teacher at the school and is very happy with her job. She added: “When I see a class of 40 students with 15 girls and 25 boys, I feel very happy. It shows me that girls have started to overcome fear and are enrolling in vocational subjects.”

Father Callixte Ukwitegetse, the school director, also delivered a message to the students, urging them to follow in the footsteps of Mother Mary, and strive to change the world through their abilities.

In an interview with the media, he explained that the Salesians have a special method of educating youth based on the teachings of Saint John Bosco, known as the Preventive System.

He said: “We are among the children during study time, and we are with them during leisure time. We give them freedom, which allows them to study well and feel protected.”

He went on to emphasize that children must have the right to be joyful, dance, sing, and play, but to avoid evil.

Father Ukwitegetse also greatly thanked Don Bosco Tech Africa for the support provided in organizing and supporting this event through the Planning and Development Office (PDO).

He said that this support plays a significant role in promoting gender equity programs and helping girls feel that they have equal opportunities as boys in education.

Although the event highlighted the continued progress of gender equity and complementation in vocational schools, various challenges remain evident.

Among them are the issue of some girls being unable to afford school fees, and hygiene materials including pads, especially for children from disadvantaged families or children with separated parents.

There is also the issue of insufficient infrastructure, including buildings and student accommodation, which clearly needs more investment so that girls can have equal opportunities as boys in vocational and technical schools.

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