Minister of Youth and Arts Development, Dr. Utumatwishima Abdallah, has called on families and authorities to do more to protect young people from alcohol and drug abuse, saying a healthy and skilled youth population is essential to the country’s future.
Utumatwishima made the remarks Wednesday during national celebrations of International Youth Day in Gatsibo District.
He urged parents to begin guiding children from an early age and work with authorities to prevent habits that could undermine their health and prospects.
“We cannot have the strength of young people we talk about if they have been weakened by drugs,” Utumatwishima said.
He said parents and leaders at all levels have a shared responsibility to raise children with a strong sense of responsibility and help them avoid alcohol, drugs and other harmful influences.
The minister also encouraged young people to take advantage of opportunities available to them by pursuing education, acquiring vocational skills and creating jobs.
He cited youth representation in district councils, Parliament and government as avenues through which young people can participate in decisions that affect them.
“Young people should study hard, pursue what can improve their lives and create jobs so that we can build our country,” he said.
For some young people attending the event, vocational training is already helping them work toward financial independence.
Diane Nayituriki, who is studying tailoring, said she hoped to turn her skills into a source of income and become self-reliant.
Akayezu Justine, a tailor who has worked for two years after training in Kigali, said having a profession had helped her stay focused and avoid idleness.
Young people aged 16 to 30 account for about 4 million of Rwanda’s 14.5 million population, or 24%, according to figures from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda.
