We Got Your Back Launches Gender-Based Violence Prevention Club at APADE School

The youth organization We Got Your Back, dedicated to combating gender-based violence, launched a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Club at APADE School on Tuesday, May 14, 2019. This initiative will continue in various other institutions.

Founded by Anastase Ndagijimana, the organization’s leader, We Got Your Back aims to build a society free from gender-based violence, focusing on educating men, as research shows that 90% of those who commit violence are men, primarily targeting women. The organization works to foster awareness about the negative impact of such violence on women, stressing that men play a critical role in its prevention.

Speaking to Inyarwanda.com, Ndagijimana shared the motivation behind establishing the organization, stating: “We sat down and thought about it and decided that we needed this organization to help men change their negative mindset about women. These men and young men must understand that they should take the lead in fighting gender-based violence because it is evident that they play a major role in committing this violence. This organization was created with this goal, and even today, it continues with that mission. We are doing various activities related to building a society free from gender-based violence.”

We Got Your Back does not only educate men but also empowers women, encouraging them to report any incidents of violence and to have the confidence to speak up. The organization emphasizes self-esteem, helping both men and women understand their rights, and stresses that girls should be protected from unwanted pregnancies and violence.

According to Ndagijimana, the organization plans to reach different groups of youth in schools, including primary and secondary schools, as well as universities. The Club initiative began in 2018, and on May 14, 2019, they officially launched a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Club at APADE Secondary School in Kicukiro District. The hope is that this club will be a catalyst for change, teaching the youth about gender equality and violence prevention, with the aim of spreading the knowledge to others.

The We Got Your Back club initiative has expanded to other schools, beginning with Groupe Scolaire Kimironko I, followed by Groupe Scolaire Kimironko II, and eventually reaching other institutions. They also have a club at the University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences. Additionally, a club is set to launch at TTC Rubengera on May 20, 2019. The organization hopes to establish a club in a different school every week or two.

Ndagijimana expressed the long-term vision for a future where both boys and girls are given equal opportunities in a society free from gender-based violence. He acknowledged that the journey is challenging but expressed confidence that they will succeed with the support of different organizations and communities.