Women in Gisagara District committed to embrace development activities for improved livelihoods.

They made the pledge, on Tuesday, during celebrations to mark the International Women’s Day in Gishubi Sector.

Speaking at the event, MP Euthalie Nyirabega said women should take advantage of current friendly policies to embark on development activities that will further improve their welfare.

She said gender equality should not be talked about only during such celebrations rather it should be routine."A woman cannot develop if she is not in a happy, neat home, with love and care,” she said.

On economic empowerment, the lawmaker urged women to look for improved banana suckers to plant and do other activities to widen income generation.

She also called on women to ensure proper feeding of their children to avoid nutritional diseases.

"The common narrative that women spend their time cultivating yet their children suffer from malnutrition should not be accepted. Use kitchen and village gardens to ensure that children enjoy good nutrition,” Nyirabega said.

During the event, ActionAid Rwanda donated two cows to Gishubi based Abakeye cooperative, comprising 36 members, including Genocide widows as well men and women linked to the perpetration of the Genocide.

Janvière Kawera, the president of the cooperative, said the two cows would boost their income.

The cooperative which practices piggery on small scale also farms on a 2.5-hectare piece of land.

"We want to take care of our children and be able to pay school fees for them. We want to give banana suckers to women who have parcels because when the child has eaten banana and drunk juice, there is also some produce the mother can sell and get books for the child. We want also to grow vegetables so that we bid farewell to malnutrition” said Kawera.

Gisagara mayor Jérôme Rutaburingoga said promoting gender equality is vital for development.

He cautioned men against the polygamous ‘culture,’ saying they should consider instead a smaller family manageable per their income.

Women also pledged to ensure hygiene, prevent malaria, put more efforts in paying health insurance (Mutuelle de Santé) subscriptions, and prevent teenage pregnancies among their daughters.

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