The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Jeannette Bayisenge, said that rural women contribute a lot to national development and encouraged them to be more actively involved.

She made the remarks during the celebration of the International Day of Rural Women held over the week.

Rural women, the majority of whom depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, make up over a quarter of the total world population, according to the United Nations.

At the national level, the celebrations were held in Southern Province, Huye district, Kigoma sector, under the theme "Development of rural women, a pillar of Rwanda’s Economy’’.

"This day reminds us to reinforce our engagement with rural women and support them in their important role of being a real pillar of our country’s economy,” said Bayisenge.

She called upon rural women to have confidence and believe in their abilities to contribute to the country’s economy.

"Women’s abilities are projected in the load of work they are able to take on, and their ability to multitask. This is why they contribute a lot to the economic growth of the country,” said the Minister.

She also encouraged them to always be mindful of their financial stability and conduct farming on a much wider scale.

One of the women who attended the event, Beatrice Nyiraminani, said that poverty is still an issue for rural women and urged men to be supportive of women.

Yusatasi Nsanzabarinda, a father of four, said that rural women’s day helps them to recognize and appreciate their women and how they work hard for their families.

International Rural Women’s Day is celebrated worldwide annually on October 15. It is an occasion to recognize the achievements and contributions of rural women toward the development of countries.