Highlights about the Gender Club at Don Bosco Gatenga TSS

At Don Bosco Gatenga TSS, students continue to celebrate the increasing number of learners joining the Gender Club, aimed at promoting knowledge and values of gender equality within the school.

Some students involved in the Gender Matters Club at Don Bosco Gatenga TSS have expressed the numerous benefits they have gained from participating in this club, including education on social well-being, the principle of gender equality and harmony, and how to coexist peacefully with others.

Twizerimana Ellisa shared how he joined the club and what he has learned. “I joined the club because I saw young people cleaning the school, and I asked what Gender Matters means. I found it to be a good club, so I decided to join. I have learned many things, including how to live harmoniously with others, both my classmates and girls, and how we should coexist with mutual respect.”

Not only Ellisa, but Ineza Claudette also shared her experience. “What I gained from the gender club is knowledge about reproductive health, understanding myself better, how to relate with peers of the opposite sex, and how to prevent gender-based violence among girls and boys. We also work together to plant trees in our community.” She further emphasized that such programs are very helpful as they empower them to understand their unique lives and encourage confidence.

Musabyimana Ange, another member of the club, mentioned that she joined to collaborate with others and to share her ideas. “Since joining the club, I now understand much more about reproductive health.”

Clemantine Uzamureba, the Gender Officer at Don Bosco Gatenga TSS, highlighted that the school has welcomed many students since they began collaborating with Gender Matters for Green TVET Project.

She said, “This year, we are especially pleased because we have received many students into the gender club. Our school now has more students compared to three years before the Gender Matters for Green TVET project arrived. These students are eager to learn, understand, and explore more—about their lives, society, and Christian values upheld by our school.”

She also shared some statistics: “This is the third year of the Gender Matters for Green TVET project at Don Bosco Gatenga TSS. In the first year, we had 45 students in the gender club; in the second year, 50 students; and this year, we are totaling 133 students in general. It’s clear that students appreciate and value the club’s activities. They enjoy participating more than other clubs, working together happily, and there are no issues of conflict.”

Ms. Uzamureba further explained the vision for the club, stating it should go far. She cited that some students who participated in the club have grown into talented individuals and are now excelling outside the school environment, helping to nurture others.

She added, “The skills gained here in the gender club continue to benefit students after they graduate and pursue further education.”

Lastly, she mentioned plans to visit other gender clubs in different schools to exchange knowledge and strengthen the network.

With funding from Austrian Development Cooperation and Jugend Eine Welt, the initiative is part of the broader Gender Matters for Green TVET programme; a four-year initiative (2023-2026) implemented in five Don Bosco TVET Centres across Uganda and Rwanda.