Interview with Solange Impanoyimana, Co-founder of Generation Rise

Solange Impanoyimana, the dynamic Co-Founder of Generation Rise, is a force of passion and determination.?

With over a decade of experience in managing community development projects for NGOs and government contractors, Solange has been a pivotal figure in advancing education initiatives for Rwandan youth in rural communities.?

Her extensive background in leadership training and women’s empowerment underscores her role as a beacon of inspiration for many young Rwandan girls.

About Generation Rise

Generation Rise is revolutionizing the way girls and women engage with societal norms around education and sexual reproductive rights. The organization’s vision is a gender-equitable society where every woman and girl is the agent of her future.

Vision: A gender-equitable society where every woman and girl is the agent of her future.

Mission: To empower the next generation of young women leaders to achieve their boldest and wildest dreams and drive transformative change in their communities.?

Approach: Generation Rise embraces an innovative, multifaceted approach to achieving gender equity and empowering the next generation of female leaders in the region. At its core, Generation Rise is a community -driven organization- founded and led by a team of passionate women,including previous graduates. Through their close ties to the schools and communities with which they work, Generation Rise implements an impressive and growing portfolio of educational and career development programs to provide young women and girls with the opportunities and resources they need to be what they want.

Understanding that promoting adolescent health and well-being is key to facilitating gender equity and women’s social sexual and reproductive health and rights, which Generation Rise is working to scale in new community and school settings and advocate for at a policy level.

Hinging across each of its to provide a safe and supportive environment for the participants from teachers and program graduates to provide a safe and supportive environment for the participants, as well as their broader communities, to grow and thrive. catalyst for critical thinking. By encouraging women and girls to explore and In this interview, Solange shares her journey, the challenges she has faced, and the transformative impact of Generation Rise on the lives of young women in Rwanda.

Solange, can you share the story of what inspired you to co-found Generation Rise?

What inspired me was my experience growing up. I was raised in a community where girls' education wasn't valued as much as boys'. From an early age, I felt that wasn't fair.?

As I matured, I questioned everything about the imbalance in opportunities and access to education. I lost my parents when I was 11, and even my own access to education wasn't easy. It took people who believed in me and valued my potential.?

Observing these injustices and experiencing them myself inspired me to find a way in which I could contribute to addressing that gap.

What did you do before founding Generation Rise?

Before founding Generation Rise, I worked for a social enterprise called Resonate.?

There, we used storytelling as a tool to empower young people, especially women, helping them develop the confidence they needed to face challenges. I joined Resonate seeking ways to address the issues I had long grappled with.?

I needed the skills, the team, and the support of people who believed in me. It provided me with the opportunity to contribute and learn how to make a difference.

Since its inception, what have been some of the most impactful milestones and achievements of Generation Rise?

One of the biggest milestones was gaining the support of teachers from the schools we partnered with. When influential people validate your idea and say it's what young women from vulnerable families need, it's a huge motivation.?

Another significant achievement is seeing the girls in our programs excel academically and develop a strong belief in their right to higher education. In rural areas, it's uncommon for girls to believe they deserve higher education.?

Watching them transform and aspire to their dreams is incredibly rewarding.

Is it uncommon that girls believe they deserve education?

Traditionally, societal expectations have often confined girls' aspirations to domestic roles. As a result, many women have been conditioned from a young age to prioritize caregiving over personal ambitions.

Why do you think this is the case?"

For a long time, patriarchal systems deeply ingrained the belief that women were undeserving. While cultural and mindset shifts are occurring, remnants of these oppressive norms still persist.

Do you see changing in younger generations?

While internet access is expanding opportunities for women in urban areas, rural communities often face significant barriers to equality. In these regions, traditional gender roles persist, with girls frequently encouraged to prioritize the well-being of boys over their own aspirations.

Is there any girl that comes to your mind that did the program and now is also a leadership point of reference or it’s still early?

High-achieving female students in their final year of school often look to successful alumnae as role models, drawing inspiration from their ability to overcome obstacles and pursue higher education

What are some of the major challenges you’ve encountered while leading Generation Rise, particularly in the Rwandan context?

One major challenge is discussing gender gaps in a country ranked high for gender equality in Africa. Despite progressive policies, patriarchal norms are deeply rooted, making it difficult to address these issues.?

Another challenge is the perception that promoting women's rights means disrupting cultural expectations. This leads to judgments and a lack of support from some community members, which can be demotivating.

In your work focusing on nurturing leadership skills and capacity-building for women and youth, what strategies have proven to be most effective?

First, we help them understand that leadership doesn't necessarily mean holding a formal position. Leadership can be at home, in the community, or in various other settings.?

We ensure they see examples of relatable role models and use value-based concepts to motivate them. It's about making them realize they can be those leaders they look up to.

How do you evaluate the success and impact of these initiatives?

We look at attendance and participation rates, as increased engagement indicates motivation and belief in themselves. We also collect qualitative data through stories and testimonies on how mindsets have changed.?

Additionally, we track their involvement in community initiatives and leadership positions. As we grow, we use more indicators, like the number of girls completing university.?

We also gather qualitative data, including inspirational stories from girls, their geographic location, and their leadership roles.

How crucial have collaborations and partnerships been in advancing the goals of Generation Rise? Can you discuss any notable alliances and how they have enhanced the organization's impact?

Partnerships are key. We collaborate with other women organizations that are addressing women’s rights and with schools. We’re also part of different networks; the most recent one focuses on sexual and reproductive health.

These collaborations help us share content, advocate together, and build capacity. Funders like the Segal Family Foundation have been instrumental in providing both funding and capacity building, enabling us to grow and enhance our impact.

Your role at The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation involved promoting women’s rights in conflict-affected areas. How has this experience shaped your leadership at Generation Rise, and what key insights have you applied from that role?

One key insight is the human rights-based approach, which centers on involving the girls in everything we do. By consulting and planning with them, we have achieved significant transformations.?

This collaborative method ensures their voices are heard and their needs are met. Additionally, addressing root causes is crucial for sustainable change.?

My experience at Kvinna taught me the importance of focusing on transformative work and prevention, reinforcing the need to tackle issues at their source for lasting impact.

How did your education at Lewis and Clark University and Institut Catholique de Kabgayi contribute to your approach to leadership and advocacy?

During my fellowship at Lewis and Clark, I focused on connecting with individuals who inspired me and possessed the skills and wisdom I needed.?

This period allowed me to reflect on my journey and understand how to help youth, especially girls, develop critical thinking and self-discovery.?

The peaceful time for reflection before starting Generation Rise was invaluable.

How can girls develop this critical thinking and discover themselves?

I believe in teaching them that dreaming big is important, but it's equally crucial to show them a clear path to achieve those dreams.

Looking ahead, what are your short-term and long-term goals for Generation Rise? What new initiatives or projects are you most excited about, and how do you see the organization evolving over the next decade?

Our medium-term goal is to create a program that offers holistic support for vulnerable girls, enabling them to complete university and compete in the job market. We are currently working on this and are very excited about its potential.?

In the long term, we aim to establish a resource center for youth, which would also serve as a mentorship model. This would allow us to support more girls and inspire others to undertake similar initiatives.

Could you share the impact that the partnership with Be That Girl Foundation is having?

We are absolutely thrilled to collaborate with Be That Girl Foundation. BTG’s vision aligns powerfully with our goals at Generation Rise, particularly in empowering young women to make informed decisions about their lives. This partnership felt both natural and impactful.

The results of this collaboration have been profound. Together, we’ve co-designed a program that we are currently implementing, to provide young women from lowest income families in Rwanda with access to university education, with a scope that extends over the next four years. This initiative goes beyond empowering young women to lead their lives with confidence: it equips them to become change agents within their communities, beginning at the family level.

The process of designing a program that directly addresses the challenges in girls’ education—challenges we’ve observed over many years—has been immensely rewarding. It’s rare to find a foundation so deeply engaged, willing to co-design initiatives, and flexible enough to adapt as we learn what works best. This collaborative approach ensures not only the effective use of resources but also the creation of a sustainable impact.

BTG’s involvement goes beyond financial support, extending to strategic guidance. What’s your perspective on that?

Absolutely. Beyond financial support, the foundation has provided invaluable capacity-building assistance. Collaborating with consultants commissioned by the Be That Girl Foundation to support their partners has given us the opportunity to critically reflect on our work—examining how we articulate our impact, identify gaps, and seek areas for improvement. As a growing organization, having such a supportive and engaged partner has been instrumental in our development.

Looking ahead, what do you expect from this partnership in the coming years?

We're eager for continued guidance and support, not only in our work with individuals but also in our broader advocacy efforts. Documenting our initiatives, identifying gaps in female education, and sharing our findings with key stakeholders are essential steps forward. Be That Girl Foundation, with its extensive presence across multiple countries and its diverse network of partners, will be invaluable in helping Generation Rise achieve its goals.

Additionally, we are focused on scaling our programs. We're currently developing a five-year strategic plan, and we intend to engage the foundation throughout this process, not just as a donor but as a true partner. Their continued support will be crucial as we bring this plan to life.

This program is just the beginning. It’s designed to make a substantial difference in the lives of these girls. But beyond scaling up our programs, we’re also focused on the long-term—how can we drive systemic change? How can we ensure that the systems in place become more inclusive of the vulnerable groups we’re supporting?

What advice would you offer to other organizations considering a partnership with a philanthropic donor to ensure a similarly impactful collaboration?

My advice would be to first ensure a strong alignment in vision and goals before forming a partnership. Once that alignment is established, it’s crucial to engage in co-designing projects and to maintain open, honest dialogue about challenges and solutions. Trust that the donor will listen and leverage its resources and expertise to support your mission.

We look for more than just guidance and support for individuals; we also expect advocacy, thorough documentation of our work and its gaps, and the creation of a platform to share insights with key stakeholders.

It’s important to be bold in sharing your challenges—BTG will listen and apply their expertise to support you. For me, this approach has been vital. Their partnership principles foster an environment where we feel comfortable discussing both our successes and struggles.

Having leaders like Ottavia (The CEO of the Foundation), who are passionate and committed to understanding and listening to the context we operate in, is invaluable. Every conversation with Ottavia reflects her deep understanding of our organization and the contexts in which our partners are working.

As we near the end of this interview, what advice would you offer to young women and aspiring leaders who are passionate about making a difference in their communities?

First, listen to your heart. If something is a passion for you, you can't escape it. Start earlier and have the courage to pursue it. Also, take the time to acquire the necessary skills, network with supportive people, and create an environment that sets you up for success.

Reflecting on your journey, how have you grown personally and professionally as a leader and activist? Are there any pivotal moments or experiences that have significantly shaped your perspective and approach?

People often tell me I'm big on gratitude and very practical. Losing my parents at 11 and finding people who believed in me was a pivotal moment.?

The support I received drives everything I do. It taught me the importance of giving back and being that supportive person for others in need.?

Despite challenges, I stay positive because I remember the commitment and support that helped me.

Thank you, Solange, for your valuable contribution and insights. It has been a pleasure speaking with you.