Women rights activist Marie Immaculée Ingabire has called on Rwandan women to support female candidates in the forthcoming parliamentary elections to ensure they maintain their majority in the next parliament.

Women currently constitute 64 per cent of members of the Lower House.

Ingabire, who is currently the chairperson of corruption watchdog Transparency International (Rwanda), made the call on Friday, as over 2000 women representatives at the community level from across Kigali City met to discuss their role in the upcoming parliamentary elections slated for September 2-3.

"We have a problem with women supporting women. Some are jealous of fellow women.  Every woman has to understand that we are stronger together. There is no gain when you try to push others’ back. Have mutual consideration and rejoice at others success because, as they are lifted, other women benefit as well in one way or another,” she said.

Francine Mukakarisa, the vice president of the National Women Council, said that women have a big role to play to achieve successful elections.  

"At this occasion, we want to remind women to take the lead by fulfilling all the requirements towards successful parliamentary elections. In your busy schedules, find time for elections, taking into consideration that it will have a great impact on your welfare. Make sure you have reviewed the electoral list before the deadline,” said Mukakarisa.

She also called for women to get involved in parliamentary elections in different ways, including as observers and poll workers.

According to the National Electoral Commission (NEC), the process to review the electoral registration list at the village level and online is underway and will end tomorrow. 

Besides the 24 exclusive women seats, which are decided through electoral colleges of women councils, women are also eligible to contest in the direct ballot (53 seats) and also in the other seats reserved for the youth (two) and people with disability, who have one seat.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw