Media as a Behavioral Change Agent amid Girl’s Educational Issues in Rwanda’s Eastern Province

Abstract

This study sought to establish the role of media as a behavioral change agent amid girl’s educational issues in Rwanda’s eastern province, using the descriptive correlational design. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations. The study took place in five sectors/ local administrative entities of Gatsibo District in Rwanda’s Eastern Province. The researchers chose the province because it is the region with the highest prevalence of girls’ education issues. The affected girls in the district were 1,542 while the non-affected girls were 77,428, identified through statistical data from the Gatsibo District department of education, department of gender monitoring and from the Sector authorities. The affected group was included because they were the victims of the teenage pregnancy and other forms of violence. The non-affected were also included because they are vulnerable to girls’ education issue. Data collection involved the use of a questionnaire. Based on the findings, the study concluded that media has some potentials to educate girls on reproductive health and raise awareness of the importance to end violence against girls. The study contributes to the understanding of how to address girls’ educational issues through media for sustainable education. Therefore, policy makers should design tailored behavioral change messages targeting peers, parents, educators and the community at large to promote social environment behaviors that support girls’ education. Media can particularly address such issues like parenting skills, reproductive health education and girls’ rights to education.