Author: Cynthia Rutagengwa

In true and strict Rwandan culture, having sex before marriage is generally not accepted, as it is in many other African countries. This view stems from the notion that marriage represents maturity and understanding of sex. However, things have changed. Talking openly about sex is more common in the younger generation, and being a virgin may even be considered embarrassing. But, it is vital to ask: Can young people discuss sex with their parents? Even though addressing this matter with parents can be uncomfortable, should it seem inappropriate for children to ask their parents about it? First and foremost, let’s be clear: discussing sex…

All photos by Getty Also known as the Met Ball, the Met Gala is one of the most anticipated events in the fashion world, and this year’s edition did not disappoint. Hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the gala saw celebrities, designers, and fashion enthusiasts come together to celebrate the opening of the annual fashion exhibit. For SENS, these stars stole the spotlight with their stunning outfits, leaving our jaws dropped both in awe of their creativity and efforts in pulling out the theme of the year: ‘The Garden of Time’. Zendaya, the American actress and singer, was our red…

In the grand theater of life, we’ve all been handed a script that says men have rights over women’s bodies, where there is a certain way of looking, walking, and talking to avoid getting on men’s nerves, where long skirts are unattractive to men and short skirts girls are just sluts, and where marriage means pleasing your husband. Yes, you heard that right! It was as if the universe had given them a golden ticket at birth, granting them the authority to make decisions, and statements, and pass judgment on what women should and should not do with their own…

ALX KIGALI, Code Empowerment Progress, a youth-led organisation gathered fellow Rwandans in a thought-provoking conversation about the youth’s role in combating genocide through technology.  Following a sorrowful minute of silence in memory of the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, the CEO of Code Empowerment Progress, Ornella Uwase Ndahiro, currently a senior in high school, opened the discussion by casting a light on the utilities young people possess in fighting genocide ideology. All through technology. A plea later emphasized in a one-minute video which displayed the types of information one could find online when searching for the 1994 genocide against…

In Rwanda, April holds special significance as it marks Kwibuka, a time for reflection, unity, and remembrance. During this period, we commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi,honoring those who lost their lives. It serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of unity and reconciliation for everyone. One important part of Kwibuka is the vigil nights and the Walk to Remember. During these events, people gather to pay tribute to the victims by recalling their lives, their hopes for thefuture, and the journeys they took toward their tragic fate. As we get ready for these events, choosing appropriate attire…

Exactly thirty years ago in April, the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi was ripe. Rwanda was almost a failed state. Over one million people were killed. The country was deserted, bleeding, and the people were hopeless. It is almost unbelievable how healed Rwanda looks today. With green, blossoming nature, buzzing cities and thriving people, one would think it is a completely different country. That is until you review archives, visit memorials and listen to survivor’s stories. Rwanda is thriving but also remembering. The recurring theme is; Remember, Unite, Renew. One way of remembering is to educate ourselves, sympathize and listen.…

When I said I wanted to capture some exceptional talent for Women’s Day, I had no clue who it would be until I was listening to music on Spotify and suddenly my phone flipped to this song called Silence. The singer’s voice was so profound that it almost brought me to tears as if my soul was escaping my body. the melody got stuck in my head and my body shivered. after listening to the song a few more times, I felt relieved. That’s when I knew that I had found the perfect guest for this month’s magazine. Meet Boukuru,…

Like many other social setups, families have changed. In the past, we usually thought of families as having a mom, a dad, and kids. But now, families can be all sorts of different setups. Some families have just one parent, some have parents who aren’t married, and some have same-sex parents. Some people decide not to have kids at all. Even though neighborhoods still look the same, families come in all shapes and sizes today. In a world where individualism is trumping the “it takes a village” approach, parents are continuously choosing to take up child-rearing solo or opt for…

Every sun rises above Kigali, the city wakes up to a new set of price tags on everything. For young adults, life is a rollercoaster of trying to make ends meet, with monetary responsibilities stacking up quicker than we can keep up. Let me give you a picture of our reality, let us take three young Kigalians, hypothetically in their 20s, earning a monthly income of Rwf150,000-500,000. In the first scenario, there is a young professional, who has a 9-5 job at entry level in a company somewhere in Kigali. It feels like she is constantly deciding between getting by…

Kevin O’Leary, a Canadian entrepreneur, is looking to organize a group of investors to potentially acquire the social media network TikTok. He suggests a starting bid that would significantly decrease the valuation, maybe by up to 90%, compared to its previous investment round, which was between $20 billion and $30 billion. O’Leary notes that this transaction would not include the user preference-based algorithms that have been important in TikTok’s success; “it’s the largest entertainment and business network in America as it stands today, so it’s of great interest and great value,” says Kevin O’Leary. Instead, it plans to acquire the…