Dr. TUNGA Christian🇷🇼

Yesterday, our Executive Director, @Knooliet , visited @TheENDFund HQ in New York to further strengthen our partnership in advancing Neglected Tropical Diseases (#NTD) elimination efforts in Rwanda. Discussions highlighted the work of Rwanda NGOs Forum and our support through the Deworming Innovation Fund (DIF), where @RwandaNGOForum collaborates with @RBCRwanda to interrupt transmission of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths contributing to Rwanda’s 2030 elimination targets. She commended the strong leadership and political will demonstrated by @RwandaHealth and @RBCRwanda in driving NTDs control and elimination efforts. On behalf of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), she reaffirmed our commitment to a strengthened and sustained partnership with @TheENDFund toward saving lives and ending NTDs among vulnerable communities in Rwanda. #BeatNTDs #EndTheNeglect #UnitingToCombatNTDs #RoadToElimination @nsanzimanasabin @BrianChirombo @JNdayizigiye @YvanButera @CMuvunyi @DrDanielNgamije @WHORwanda @merckgroup @unicefrw @UNDP_Rwanda @WorldBankAfrica @ENDinAfrica @UNITAID @gatesfoundation @USAmbRwanda @FCDOGovUK @GlobalFund @SCIRwanda @RockefellerFdn @ELMAPhilanthro @AmrefAfrica @IntraHealth @MSF_USA @AfricaCDC @SciDevNet @HealthPolicyW @TuyishimeAlbert @TheLancet @ALMA_2030 @NTD_NGOs @AimableDr @UNFPARwanda @semakulam @Imbuto @RwandaLocalGov

Nothing About Us Without Us: Community Leadership is the Foundation Effective #HIV, #TB, and #Malaria responses depend on #communities owning the #data, #discussion, and #decisions. At the #Rwanda #CSOs and #Communities’ Stakeholder Consultative Workshop on #iCLM Priority Setting, convened by @RwandaNGOForum to shape the NSP 2027–2030 and the @GlobalFund GC8 Funding Request, this principle was evident. We were inspired by @AndrewGasoziNtw, Senior Coordinator at the @UNAIDSRwanda Country Office, whose words capture the essence of the conversation: "Integrated community-led monitoring (#iCLM) for #HIV, #TB, and #Malaria belongs to the #communities. Their ownership and leadership make #iCLM meaningful. We engage #communities! Priorities for #HIV, #TB, and #Malaria NSP 2027-2030 and the GC8 funding request reflect what matters to them." Why is this important? Because programs only work when #communities shape them, monitor them, and speak for themselves. The principle is non-negotiable: Everything for #communities, without #communities, works against them. We must move people from the periphery to the high-level decision-making table. #Communities should participate not as beneficiaries, but as leaders and equal contributors. ✅Ownership: #iCLM isn’t just a data collection tool; it is the #community’s voice. #Community-owned data reflects reality, not assumptions. ✅Leadership: When those at risk, living with, or affected by the diseases, and fighting them daily, set priorities, resources are allocated effectively and equitably. ✅Accountability: We cannot design solutions in a vacuum and expect them to work on the ground. True accountability means #communities drive the response. The upcoming #HIV, #TB, and #Malaria NSP 2027–2030 and the @GlobalFund GC8 funding request must continue to boldly reflect #communities’ priorities. #Community voice must drive better policies, stronger accountability, and responses that save lives. Civil society leaders and #communities will continue to shape these critical documents through consultative and development workshops, sharing #community priorities, and providing feedback on drafts. This active involvement ensures that both #HIV, #TB, and #Malaria NSP2027-2030 and @GlobalFund GC8 funding request are grounded in real experience and drive change where it matters most. Thank you to @AndrewGasoziNtw, @RwandaNGOForum, and all civil society organizations and #community leaders for driving this agenda forward. The path to ending #HIV, #TB, and #Malaria is paved with #community-led evidence. #LetCommunityLeadRw #PeopleCenteredResponse #HealthIntegration #CommunityData #HealthForAll @nsanzimanasabin @JNdayizigiye @HindHassan_ @CMuvunyi @BrianChirombo @CDCRwanda @ambafrancerw @expertisefrance @unwomenrwanda @unicefrw @PIH_Rwanda @ITPCglobal @ICAP_ColumbiaU @GFAN_Africa @ahfrwanda @PEPFAR @Avega_Agahozo_ @dreamvillage6 @AmahoroR @Imbuto @ASOFERWA2 @PSF_Rwanda @CaritasRwanda @sfhRwanda @ALMA_2030 @HAImedicines @EUinRW @NLinRwanda @InterfaithRda @rrpplus @uphls @ASOFERWA2 @ABASIRWA2 @ambafrancerwa @PeterASands @DMbituyumuremyi @Knooliet @BernardMuramira @CrescenceMUKAN1

Happy Women’s Day 2026 Give Power to Gain a Nation That Thrives On this #InternationalWomensDay , we are reminded that empowering women and girls is not only about advancing individual rights, it is about strengthening entire nations. When women and girls have the power to access opportunities, make decisions, and exercise their rights fully, societies become more resilient and inclusive. Their leadership, ideas, and contributions drive progress in every sector, from education and health to governance and the economy. In #Rwanda , the empowerment of women and girls has proven to be a powerful driver of national development. When girls are supported to learn, lead, and participate fully in society, communities become stronger and more stable. Protecting their rights and expanding their opportunities helps build a generation that is healthier, more confident, and ready to shape the future. Giving power to women and girls means giving power to a nation that thrives. As we mark #InternationalWomensDay2026 , let us continue to champion equality, invest in the potential of women and girls, and create spaces where their voices are heard and valued. When women rise, communities prosper, and nations move closer to a future of sustainable development, social stability, and shared prosperity. #IWD2026Rw #GiveToGainRw #HealthyAdolescentsRw

Give Investment To Gain Equality Investing in adolescent girls’ health is one of the most powerful ways to build a more equal and prosperous society. When girls have access to quality healthcare, accurate information, and supportive environments, they are better able to stay in school, make informed decisions, and pursue their ambitions. Protecting their health today strengthens their opportunities tomorrow. Yet too many adolescent girls still face barriers that limit their ability to reach their full potential. Limited access to health services, harmful norms, and economic challenges continue to place girls at greater risk of poor health outcomes and missed opportunities. Prioritizing investments in adolescent girls’ health is not only a health issue, it is a critical step toward reducing poverty and advancing gender equality. When we invest in girls, we invest in stronger families, resilient communities, and sustainable economic growth. Empowered and healthy girls grow into empowered women who contribute meaningfully to their communities and economies. Investing in adolescent girls’ health today is an investment in equality, dignity, and a more prosperous future for all. #IWD2026Rw #GiveToGainRw #HealthyAdolescentsRw

United by Purpose: How Collaboration Drives Meaningful Impact This week, @RwandaNGOForum hosted a Stakeholder Consultative Workshop to inform the #HIV, #TB, and #Malaria NSP 2027-2030 and the GC8 Funding Request. The workshop brought together CSOs, the Private Sector, partners, and communities at high risk, living with, or affected by #HIV, #TB, and #Malaria. Our Chairperson, Bernard Muramira (@BernardMuramira), highlighted the value of community development and diversity as our strength. Civil Society Organizations (#CSOs) and Community-Led Organizations (#CLOs) often work in silos, each with its own mandate and expertise. Yet, as @BernardMuramira emphasized, when we unite for the shared goal of serving communities, our collective power grows. Our diverse group of stakeholders offers a spectrum of knowledge and resources. This diversity is our greatest asset, not a challenge. 1. Diverse expertise: The Private Sector brings innovation and efficiency. CSOs bring deep, grassroots connections and advocacy. NGOs contribute specialized experience in program design and implementation. 2. Diverse reach: By collaborating, we avoid duplication of efforts and ensure critical services reach every corner of the community. Together, we maximize the meaningful impact we aim to achieve. 3. Diverse solutions: Complex community issues rarely have a single, simple fix. By bringing together minds from different backgrounds, we generate more holistic, creative, and sustainable solutions that truly reflect the community's needs. @RwandaNGOForum's commitment to collaboration reflects the belief that no single entity holds all the answers; together, we share the responsibility for greater success. Each stakeholder's unique contribution is vital. United by service, our collaboration drives meaningful, lasting change and improves services for those at risk or affected. #LetCommunityLeadRw #UnitedByPurpose #DiversityIsOurStrength #CommunityImpact #OneHealth @CDCRwanda @ambafrancerwa @expertisefrance @nsanzimanasabin @JNdayizigiye @HindHassan_ @CMuvunyi @TuyishimeAlbert @AndrewGasoziNtw @BrianChirombo @unwomenrwanda @PIH_Rwanda @ICAP_ColumbiaU @ahfrwanda @PEPFAR @Avega_Agahozo_ @dreamvillage6 @AmahoroR @Imbuto @ASOFERWA2 @PSF_Rwanda @CaritasRwanda @sfhRwanda @ALMA_2030 @HAImedicines @EUinRW @NLinRwanda @InterfaithRda @rrpplus @uphls @ASOFERWA2 @ambafrancerwa @PeterASands @DMbituyumuremyi @Knooliet @BernardMuramira @CrescenceMUKAN1

Give Protection to Gain Justice Protecting women and adolescent girls from gender-based violence (GBV) is both a human rights imperative and a foundation for justice. Rwanda has made notable progress by strengthening legal frameworks, expanding survivor-centered services, and reinforcing protection mechanisms that safeguard the dignity and rights of women and girls. These efforts demonstrate the country’s commitment to building communities where women and girls can live free from violence and discrimination. Yet protection must extend beyond laws and policies. Many survivors still face barriers such as stigma, silence, and underreporting, which limit their access to justice and essential health services. Strengthening prevention efforts, ensuring timely responses from justice and health institutions, and encouraging communities to actively reject violence are critical steps to ensure that survivors receive the protection and support they deserve. When we give protection and ensure justice, we create safer homes, schools, and communities where women and girls can thrive without fear. Achieving zero tolerance for GBV requires collective responsibility, from policymakers and service providers to families, communities, and development partners. Protecting women and girls today means securing safer and more just futures for generations to come. #IWD2026Rw #GiveToGainRw #HealthyAdolescentsRw

Give Information to Gain Empowered Girls Rwanda has made significant progress in advancing adolescent sexual and reproductive health. The expansion of youth-friendly services, improved access to modern contraceptives, a stronger legal framework regulating health care services, and continued reduction in maternal mortality reflect a national commitment to protecting girls’ health and rights. Compared to previous decades, adolescents today have greater awareness and more platforms to access information than ever before. This progress proves that when systems invest in knowledge and access, lives improve. Yet important gaps remain. Misinformation about sexual and reproductive health persists, stigma continues to silence young people, and open conversations between parents and adolescents are still limited in many communities. Without accurate, age-appropriate, and stigma-free information, girls are left vulnerable to unintended pregnancies, unsafe practices, and missed opportunities to make informed choices about their futures. This Women’s Day 2026, under the theme “Give To Gain,” we call for greater investment in comprehensive sexuality education, stronger parent-adolescent communication, and responsible digital awareness campaigns. When we give girls accurate information, we gain confident decision-makers, healthier families, and a stronger nation. #IWD2026Rw #GiveToGainRw #HealthyAdolescentsRw

⚠️Fear or Reluctance Should Not Cost a Life Fear, misinformation, and reluctance continue to delay cervical cancer screening for many women, yet the truth remains clear: screening is safe, quick, and confidential. It is provided by trained healthcare professionals in a friendly environment that ensures privacy and respect, and there is no shame in prevention. Reluctance fueled by stigma and false beliefs should never stand in the way of protecting your health. Screening is not a response to illness; it is a preventive health measure and a powerful act of self-care. Cervical cancer is preventable, and screening detects abnormal cell changes before cancer develops. Early detection allows timely treatment, greatly improves survival outcomes, and reduces medical costs while ensuring better health outcomes. A screening test takes only a few minutes, but its benefits last for years thus offering peace of mind, earlier treatment, and a healthier future. Routine cervical cancer screening is a proven and effective strategy toward eliminating cervical cancer and achieving national health goals. Protecting your health is a responsible and empowering decision, and overcoming fear and reluctance is a critical step toward saving lives. 📢Take action today: schedule your cervical cancer screening and encourage other women and girls to do the same, because screening saves lives. 📞 For more information, call 114 or speak to your nearest Community Health Worker (CHW). #YouthAgainstCervicalCancerRw #TestToKnowRw #ScreeningSavesLivesRw @RwandaHealth @RBCRwanda @nsanzimanasabin @CMuvunyi @UwinkindiFranco @WHORwanda @BrianChirombo @HindHassan_ @SwedeninRW @GlobalFund @EF_LINITIATIVE @expertisefrance @Merckgroup @CDC_Cancer @RwCancerRelief @unicefrw @GFAN_Africa @unwomenrwanda @WCRF_CA @UNFPARwanda @miryanyawera @JhpiegoRwanda @DianeGashumba @Yesi_Rwanda @urphsa @HAImedicines @Sida @PIH_Rwanda @bkateera @EUinRW @RwandaNCDA @AfriCF @bciea @GlobalFundWomen @SU2C @ncdalliance @uicc @WCRF_CA @CosarOfficial @HDIRwanda @medsar_rwanda @Yesi_Rwanda @urphsa @Knooliet @TungaChristian @Loui_Ngabonzima

⚠️Fear or Reluctance Should Not Cost a Life Fear, misinformation, and reluctance continue to delay cervical cancer screening for many women, yet the truth remains clear: screening is safe, quick, and confidential. It is provided by trained healthcare professionals in a friendly environment that ensures privacy and respect, and there is no shame in prevention. Reluctance fueled by stigma and false beliefs should never stand in the way of protecting your health. Screening is not a response to illness; it is a preventive health measure and a powerful act of self-care. Cervical cancer is preventable, and screening detects abnormal cell changes before cancer develops. Early detection allows timely treatment, greatly improves survival outcomes, and reduces medical costs while ensuring better health outcomes. A screening test takes only a few minutes, but its benefits last for years thus offering peace of mind, earlier treatment, and a healthier future. Routine cervical cancer screening is a proven and effective strategy toward eliminating cervical cancer and achieving national health goals. Protecting your health is a responsible and empowering decision, and overcoming fear and reluctance is a critical step toward saving lives. 📢Take action today: schedule your cervical cancer screening and encourage other women and girls to do the same, because screening saves lives. 📞 For more information, call 114 or speak to your nearest Community Health Worker (CHW). #YouthAgainstCervicalCancerRw #TestToKnowRw #ScreeningSavesLivesRw @RwandaHealth @RBCRwanda @nsanzimanasabin @CMuvunyi @UwinkindiFranco @WHORwanda @BrianChirombo @HindHassan_ @SwedeninRW @GlobalFund @EF_LINITIATIVE @expertisefrance @Merckgroup @CDC_Cancer @RwCancerRelief @unicefrw @GFAN_Africa @unwomenrwanda @WCRF_CA @UNFPARwanda @miryanyawera @JhpiegoRwanda @DianeGashumba @Yesi_Rwanda @urphsa @HAImedicines @Sida @PIH_Rwanda @bkateera @EUinRW @RwandaNCDA @AfriCF @bciea @GlobalFundWomen @SU2C @ncdalliance @uicc @WCRF_CA @CosarOfficial @HDIRwanda @medsar_rwanda @Yesi_Rwanda @urphsa @Knooliet @TungaChristian @Loui_Ngabonzima

Rwanda has made strong progress in the fight against cervical cancer, but important gaps remain that require urgent action. The country has successfully achieved the 90% target for HPV vaccination among girls by age 15. This is a major milestone in prevention and shows the strength of our national commitment. However, screening remains the biggest challenge. Only 31% of women aged 30–49 have undergone high-performance screening, compared to the 70% target. This leaves a significant 39% gap that must be addressed. Early screening is critical because cervical cancer is highly treatable when detected early. In addition, treatment and care coverage has reached 81%, which is close to the 90% target, but still leaves a 9% gap. Ensuring that every woman diagnosed with precancer or cancer receives timely and quality care is essential to reducing deaths. As youth, we have a powerful role to play in closing these gaps. We must raise awareness, encourage women to get screened, fight stigma and misinformation, and support access to vaccination and treatment. Together, we can help Rwanda fully achieve the 90–70–90 targets and end cervical cancer. #YouthAgainstCervicalCancerRw #TestToKnowRw #ScreeningSavesLivesRw @RwandaHealth @RBCRwanda @nsanzimanasabin @CMuvunyi @UwinkindiFranco @WHORwanda @BrianChirombo @HindHassan_ @SwedeninRW @EF_LINITIATIVE @expertisefrance @Merck @CDC_Cancer @RwCancerRelief @unicefrw @GlobalFund @GFadvocates @UN_Women @WCRF_CA @UNFPARwanda @miryanyawera @JhpiegoRwanda @DianeGashumba @Yesi_Rwanda @urphsa @HAImedicines @Sida @PIH_Rwanda @bkateera @EUinRW @Knooliet

Fueled by Purpose: Rwandan Youth Are Rewriting the Story on Malaria and NTDs Today, @RwandaNGOForum , through its youth program (@MalariaNTDcorps ), in collaboration with @RBCRwanda , under the support of @TheENDFund , has conducted the 1st Annual Youth Champions Capacity Building Workshop on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases (#NTDs), bringing together +100 youth leaders from @CityofKigali , @BugeseraDistr and @RuhangoDistrict to strengthen community engagement and youth-led action toward a malaria- and NTD-free generation. The Rwanda Malaria and NTDs Youth Corps, under the support of @ALMA_2030 , serves as a national platform for mobilizing youth communities, promoting disease-proven interventions, and driving locally-led innovation aligned with national Malaria and NTDs goals and Universal Health Coverage goals. In their opening remarks, @LadislasN , Director of NTDs and Other Parasitic Diseases Unit at @RBCRwanda , and @Loui_Ngabonzima , Director of Programs at @RwandaNGOForum , emphasized that youth are not only beneficiaries but also key partners and leaders in accelerating malaria and #NTD elimination in Rwanda. Participants engaged in technical sessions on the global and national malaria and NTD landscape, priority interventions such as LLIN use, IRS, MDA, and early care-seeking, community engagement, and the critical role of youth in strengthening community awareness, treatment adherence, and sustained behaviour change. Through experience sharing, group discussions, and co-creation labs, youth champions developed practical, youth-led intervention concepts aligned with national priorities in Malaria and NTDs. The Youth Program Lead from @RwandaNGOsForum, @TungaChristian , highlighted the mandate of the @MalariaNTDcorps , showcasing early achievements that have reached more than 15,000 people in just three months of their formalization through community outreaches and awareness activities. The workshop also strengthened coordination and accountability mechanisms between youth champions and national and district stakeholders, ensuring harmonized, evidence-based, and culturally appropriate messaging and a clear pathway for implementation of youth-driven actions. Creativity and impact were celebrated through the Youth Against NTDs Arts Contest Awards, held in the build-up to World NTDs Day 2026, where young innovators were recognized for powerful poems, songs, drawings, and audiovisual messages using art as a tool to educate, communicate, mobilize communities, and inspire action against NTDs. Together, today’s workshop reaffirmed that youth leadership and meaningful engagement are at the forefront of Rwanda’s fight against malaria and NTDs; building skills, providing practical tools to lead community health initiatives, strengthening partnerships, and renewing commitment to healthier communities for all. #BeatNTDs #ZeroMalariaStartsWithMe #YouthInActionRw #UniteActEliminateRw #IsukuHose