As the reading of the 2014/2015 budget gets close, the expectations are high. The budget will be presented next week by Finance Minister Claver Gatete.
Doreen Umutesi spoke to a cross section of women about their expectations in the new budget.
More funds should be allocated to empower women financially in the new budget. Women will be able to support their families if this is done. The other thing that I think should be addressed is that taxes on some commodities such as sanitary pads should be waived so that women and girls can afford pads.
Triphine Nyirashema, Resident of Kimihura _____________________________________________________
The issue of affordable houses for the less privileged people, especially those that live in towns should be addressed in the next budget. Housing in Kigali is expensive and a person has to spend the little they earn on accommodation. If there is a way the government can put up affordable estates then that would be of great help to small income earners like me.
Jeanine Makadamajye, Resident of Rukiri Village Remera
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I hope to see a justifiable amount of funding in the upcoming budget being allocated to capacity building in women initiatives. Women are as capable as men and if empowered can even do better. However, because most women, especially in rural areas, still believe that men are the bread winners, they end up being taken for granted. Even the little money the woman makes, the husband takes it and spends in on booze. Therefore, extensive training, sensitisation and income generating projects for women should be funded to empower.
Jackie Gatera, Student, Mount Kenya University
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I expect that in the upcoming budget, more funds will be allocated to the creation of job opportunities for the youth. The youth form the biggest part of the population in the country, we expect them to be key players in the country’s development, and thus they need empowerment. The other aspect that requires funding is the capacity building for women.
Cynthia Umurungi, Radio presenter
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My expectation in this year’s budget is the need to increase funds in the education sector. If more Rwandans get educated, we will find ways to develop faster as a nation.
Valentine Kanyeteri, Resident of Rugando, Kimihurura
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I expect to see a similar focus on areas that the budget has tackled in recent years - those highlighted in Vision 2020. I expect a focus on moving Rwanda from an agriculture-based economy to a service-based economy. I hope to also see a new focus on the arts and culture sector in Rwanda which I believe needs more support from the government; however, I believe our government is currently focusing on technical and financial sectors as these are the ones perceived as the best to fast-track our economic development.
Akaliza Keza Gara, Founder and CEO Shaking Sun
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Being an orphan, I would wish that a fund to support orphans is included in the upcoming budget. Young orphans face many challenges. If there was a way the government can put aside a fund or project to cater for orphans in terms of scholastic materials, housing and other necessities, that could be of great help because when one loses both parents at a very young age, the other family members tend to neglect them. I was not able to go to school because my aging grandmother could not afford to buy books and a uniform for me and I’m now struggling with life.
Immacule Uwimana, 21-year-old resident of Muhanga District
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The government should allocate more funds to support women initiatives in the upcoming budget. Women are still the less privileged in our society and they lack economic empowerment. When you empower a woman, you are empowering a family and the nation at large.
Florence Mukawera, member of Ikodera Cooperative