Alice Nyirazigama, from Rwanda, is a PhD student in nursing at Western University, Canada, dedicated to advancing maternal and adolescent mental health through research, education, and advocacy. Her dissertation focuses on the intersection of stigma, mental health, and child-mother attachment among adolescent mothers who have experienced unintended pregnancies due to gender-based violence – an often-overlooked issue, particularly in developing countries. Her work examines how stigma and social exclusion impact the child-mother bond and their access to essential support systems. It will inform evidence-based policies that address these mothers' overall health and social needs, both in her home country of Rwanda and globally.

Deeply motivated by personal experience, Alice’s commitment to supporting marginalized women and children is reflected in her education, professional experience, and community engagement. She has served as a clinical instructor and assistant lecturer at the University of Rwanda, where she empowered and mentored nursing students through innovative teaching methods. As a volunteer with AFROHUN, she championed gender equity and inclusion in health education and research.

Alice’s long-term vision is to bridge the gap between research, policy, and practice to foster a more equitable healthcare system for marginalized women. She plans to establish community-based programs that equip adolescent mothers with skills to overcome social isolation and poverty, and ultimately aspires to lead global health initiatives through international organizations. Rooted in her family’s story, empathy, and resilience, and driven by a desire to create meaningful change, Alice brings compassion, determination, and visionary leadership to everything she does.