Ireme Initiative

Ireme Initiative is a youth-led movement advancing SRHR advocacy, teen mothers’ empowerment, HIV youth support, and inclusion of underserved communities in RW

[Ireme Initiative @IremeIntiative]

Hey said young people can’t change lives… We decided to prove them wrong.”
From hidden stories to bold voices — Ireme Initiative is lighting up Rwanda with youth power, purpose, and passion. 🌍💪
We talk SRHR, we stand for mental health, we empower teen mothers, HIV+ youth,

[Hertier Hatangimana @Hertier22]

Kirehe District – Nasho Sector – Cyambwe Cell
12 March 2026
Today in Cyambwe Cell, Nasho Sector, we continued our mentoring and safe space session for youth, bringing together members of the group to discuss important issues affecting young people in our community.

The session, led by our Youth Ambassador, created an open and supportive environment where young people were able to freely share ideas, experiences, and challenges. Today's discussion focused on HIV awareness, inclusion, empowerment, and eliminating stigma, especially among marginalized youth.

We emphasized that ending HIV stigma begins with knowledge, empathy, and community support. Every young person deserves access to accurate information, respect, and equal opportunities to grow and succeed. Through these safe spaces, we continue to empower youth to become confident leaders who promote health, inclusion, and positive change in their communities.

The engagement and participation from the group were inspiring, showing that when young people are given the right platform, they can rethink challenges, rebuild confidence, and rise together for a better future.

#RethinkRebuildRise #EndHIVStigma #YouthEmpowerment #InclusionMatters #MarginalizedYouth #SRHR #YouthLeadership

[Ireme Initiative @IremeIntiative]

Happy International Women’s Day

Today, Ireme Initiative celebrates the strength, courage, and resilience of women and girls everywhere especially the young women, teen mothers, and underserved communities in Rwanda who continue to rise, lead, and inspire change.

[Hertier Hatangimana @Hertier22]

Happy International Women’s Day!

Today and every day, we celebrate the foundational role women continue to play in Rwanda’s transformation. Your resilience, ingenuity, and leadership continue to affirm a simple truth: a nation can only truly progress when inclusion and equality are upheld in every sphere.

This #IWD2026, Kigali came together for an uplifting #CarFreeDay filled with energy and solidarity under the national theme “Umugore ni Uw’Agaciro Empowered Women, Stronger Nation.” We were honored to attend and stand alongside many inspiring women and youth committed to building a better future.

As young people, we recognize that empowering youth especially girls and young women is essential for sustainable development. We are proud of our young girls and women who continue to rise as leaders, innovators, and ambassadors of positive change in our communities.

We celebrate you, we appreciate you, and we wish all women and girls a Happy International Women’s Day!

#IWD2026 #WomenEmpowerment #YouthLeadership #Rwanda

[Ireme Initiative @IremeIntiative]

Big congratulations to our CEO @Hertier22 We are proud to see our leader recognized as part of the IAS Change Makers – Young Leaders Programme 2025. Through the Ireme Initiative, his vision continues to turn pain into purpose by challenging HIV stigma and empowering rural youth .

[Hertier Hatangimana @Hertier22]

Something powerful just happened.

From a rural community in Rwanda to a global platform

I’m honored to officially join the IAS Change Makers – Young Leaders Programme 2025. https://t.co/6EXJ86IMz8

Through Ireme Initiative , my mission has always been clear: Turning pain into purpose. Challenging HIV stigma. Equipping rural youth with knowledge, dignity, and leadership.
Now, as part of the 2025 cohort, the mission expands beyond borders.
This is about:
Elevating unheard voices Expanding digital mentorship and youth advocacy Converting lived experience into sustainable solutions
What started in a small rural community is now connected to a global movement for change.
2025 is not just a milestone. It is momentum. It is responsibility. It is impact in action.
#RethinkRebuildRise #IASChangeMakers #YoungLeaders2025 #YouthLeadership #EndHIVStigma @urphsa @MountKigaliUni @Uni_Rwanda @iasociety @nsanzimanasabin @AIDSHealthcare

[Hertier Hatangimana @Hertier22]

I am proud to appreciate our incredible Ireme Ambassadors who emerged from the Urungano Program. From January 1 to February 25, 2026, across our rural communities, 400 dedicated youth completed an intensive two-month Training of Trainers journey and they have worked tirelessly to ensure other young people gain life-saving knowledge and skills.

You stepped forward to lead education on HIV/AIDS prevention, fighting stigma, promoting disability awareness, and strengthening inclusion. You chose service. You chose impact. You chose to save lives.

Thank you for making this program a true movement — one that is already changing lives in our rural areas and building a generation of informed, compassionate, and courageous youth leaders.

To every young person: do what you can, where you are. Share knowledge. Break stigma. Promote inclusion. Your voice can save lives.

And to the youth of the world — we invite you to join us. Together, we rethink. Together, we rebuild. Together, we rise.

#RethinkRebuildRise

[Hertier Hatangimana @Hertier22]

Many young people in Rwanda face stigma and silence around mental health. Your support can help provide vital workshops and mentorship for teen mothers, youth, and those living with HIV. Every donation counts. Let’s create a world where everyone feels seen and heard. Please share and consider donating! https://t.co/eOjItgFSCY

[Hertier Hatangimana @Hertier22]

Sexual exploitation is a serious but often misunderstood threat to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH). It hides in workplaces, schools, politics, entertainment, and even within relationships of trust. Because it is normalized, ignored, or silenced, it continues to harm individuals and weaken our society.

Sexual exploitation is any actual or attempted abuse of vulnerability, unequal power, authority, or trust for sexual purposes. It occurs when someone uses their position to obtain sexual favors, benefits, or control over another person. The benefit may be monetary, political, professional, academic, or social — but the damage to the victim is always profound.

In Rwanda, most forms of sexual exploitation are criminalized under Law No. 54/2018 on the prevention and punishment of corruption, carrying imprisonment of at least five years and additional sanctions. This shows that sexual exploitation is not merely immoral — it is illegal.

Sexual exploitation includes, but is not limited to:

Paying for sex or engaging in transactional sex where vulnerability is exploited

A concert manager coercing an artist to perform naked to secure opportunity
Sexual trafficking and sexual slavery
Paying someone to participate in pornography through manipulation or coercion
Demanding sex in exchange for employment, grades, promotion, services, or protection
“Sex for favors” disguised as love, opportunity, or mentorship
Let us be clear: when consent is obtained through pressure, fear, dependency, or imbalance of power, it is not genuine consent — it is exploitation.

Sexual exploitation destroys dignity, mental health, economic independence, and public trust. It reinforces inequality, fuels corruption, and undermines development.

As advocates, leaders, students, employers, and citizens, we must:

Speak openly about sexual exploitation

Refuse to normalize “sex for opportunity” culture
Strengthen reporting and protection mechanisms
Hold perpetrators accountable, regardless of status
Protect vulnerable populations, especially women, youth, and marginalized groups
A thriving society is built on dignity, equality, and justice not on abuse of power.

Get aware.
Get against.
Strive for a society where opportunity is earned by merit not negotiated through exploitation.

[Hertier Hatangimana @Hertier22]

I
Gasabo District – Kimihurura Sector
📅 28/02/2026
On February 28, 2026, Ireme Initiative proudly participated in a community tree-planting activity held in Kimihurura Sector, Kamukina Cell, as part of the national Umuganda program.
This initiative was organized by Save Environment Initiative in partnership with BK Foundation, bringing together leaders, institutions, and community members to promote environmental protection and sustainable development.

As Ireme Initiative, we reaffirmed our commitment to:

Promoting environmental conservation
Supporting climate action through tree planting
Strengthening community engagement

Through unity and collective responsibility, we continue to build a greener, healthier, and more resilient Rwanda.

Ireme Initiative Empowering Communities. Protecting the Environment.

[Hertier Hatangimana @Hertier22]

Yesterday at BK Arena, our Ireme Ambassador proudly participated in a powerful transformation event where 300+ students aged 15–24 gathered to gain practical knowledge on sexual and reproductive health and make responsible life choices.

A key message we shared: when boys are included in these conversations, they grow to respect, support, and protect their sisters and become champions of safe and healthy communities.

Together, we are building a generation that values knowledge, responsibility, and mutual respect. 🌍

#MoveAfrika #VisitRwanda #MeetInRwanda

[Ireme Initiative @IremeIntiative]

We are proud of the change we started and the movement continues.

#RethinkRebuildRise

[Ireme Initiative @IremeIntiative]

We are proud to celebrate the impact of the Urungano Program a powerful two-month Training of Trainers journey that ran from January 1 to February 25, 2026.

Through this initiative, 400 youth from rural communities were equipped with vital skills in HIV/AIDS prevention.

[Ireme Initiative @IremeIntiative]

stigma reduction, disability awareness, and inclusion. Today, they stand as trained ambassadors, ready to educate, inspire, and empower fellow youth in their own communities.

From knowledge to leadership. From training to transformation.

[Ireme Initiative @IremeIntiative]

Imagine saving a life without medicine just by speaking truth, giving hope, and choosing kindness. Your voice can break stigma, your compassion can restore strength, and your support can help someone choose life again. Be the reason hope rises.

#RethinkRebuildRise #EndHIVStigma

[Ireme Initiative @IremeIntiative]

Your story is not defined by HIV, it is defined by your strength, your courage, and your purpose. At Ireme , we believe every person hope, and a future filled with possibility. If you can send one message today, let it be a message that makes someone smile,#RethinkRebuildRise

[Ireme Initiative @IremeIntiative]

@HDIRwanda @Usawa_Rwanda @AIDSHealthcare @UNAIDSRwanda @iasociety @gnpplus @unicefrw @UNFPARwanda @ELIZ

[Ireme Initiative @IremeIntiative]

Our trainings keep empowering the next GenZ. youth are excited and inspired by the Voice of Change Workshop, it gives them knowledge, confidence, and a stronger voice for their future. Thanks for @iasociety @Usawa_Rwanda and our Ceo @Hertier22 for support and make this possibe

[Ireme Initiative @IremeIntiative]

On Saturday, 29 November 2025, we hosted the #VoiceOfChange workshop in Ntenyo Cell, Byimana Sector, Ruhango District.
with support from @iasociety youth Hub and @Usawa_Rwanda empowered young people through open conversations on:#HIV awareness
Stigma reduction
#SRHR

[Ireme Initiative @IremeIntiative]

🔗https://t.co/JM3cdNcCLg?

[Ireme Initiative @IremeIntiative]

🌍 Join something big!

We’re looking for passionate and committed volunteers from different countries and fields to join us across various departments — including Communications, Programs, Research, Partnerships, and more!

[Ireme Initiative @IremeIntiative]

Join us in Ruhango District for the Voice of Change Workshop, proudly endorsed by the International AIDS Society (IAS).
We’re bringing youth together to amplify voices, share stories, and drive action for a healthier, more inclusive.

📅 Coming soon – be part of the change!