Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana, Minister of Unity and Civic Responsibility, has called on Rwandans to stop using the term “indangamirwa” to describe female sex workers, stressing that the term’s true meaning in Kinyarwanda refers to individuals of exemplary character.
He made the remarks Sunday evening during a national television interview addressing key social issues, including the 32nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, youth welfare, and persistent challenges facing the nation.
Minister Bizimana highlighted drug abuse, alcoholism, and sex work as major issues undermining youth development. He warned that a perception of “easy life” tempts some young people into destructive behaviors.
“When life seems easy, some youth are misled. Life is never simple. Yet we see young people falling into drugs, teenage pregnancies, alcoholism, and sex work,” he said.
The minister specifically criticized the misuse of “indangamirwa” for female sex workers, saying the word should instead honor individuals whose actions and values inspire others.
“In Kinyarwanda, an indangamirwa is a person of integrity, a role model whose good deeds others seek to emulate. It is not someone involved in destructive behavior,” he said.
Minister Bizimana urged that the term be corrected in public discourse while calling on youth to avoid harmful lifestyles. He emphasized that elders play a critical role in guiding young people, but personal responsibility is equally important.
“You cannot contribute to the nation if you are trapped in drugs, sex work, or alcoholism. Such behaviors make you a burden rather than a builder of the country,” he said.
He concluded by stressing that Rwanda’s youth, who form the majority of the population, must work together to resist harmful influences, embrace positive values, and build strong families and a prosperous future.
