Fifty thousand people (70 per cent women) from 19 Districts, including more than 4,000 people in Nyamagabe District, have benefited from financial inclusion, Gender Action Learning System plus nutrition (GALS ), and entrepreneurship capacity building under World Relief Rwanda-backed SheCan Project, according to the humanitarian organisation.

While celebrating this milestone on the International Women’s Day, World Relief Rwanda supported 50 vulnerable families with small domestic animals to motivate them in the journey of food security and health nutrition practices, while empowering women to play a greater role in supporting their families and communities.

The celebration, held in Nyamagabe on October 8, brought together World Relief officials, local authorities, and government leaders, including the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Beline Uwineza.

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The event echoed this year’s International Women’s Day message on the importance of empowering women to strengthen families and communities.

Speaking at the event, Uwineza underscored that women play a crucial role in Rwanda’s development and that empowering them contributes directly to the country’s progress.

"A woman is a key pillar in a country’s development. Empowering women means empowering the entire nation,” she said.

Rwanda, Uwineza stated, has adopted laws aimed at removing barriers that prevent women from accessing opportunities equal to those of men, which has helped strengthen gender equality across the country.

She also urged families to avoid conflicts, noting that household disputes can push families into poverty and negatively affect children.

Yannick Niyireba, Director of Programs and Quality Assurance at World Relief Rwanda, said the organization continues to support women through various initiatives, including cooperative development, financial literacy training, and savings programs.

"So far in Nyamagabe, we have supported over 4,000 people, of whom more than 85 per cent are women,” he said.

Niyireba added that World Relief also works with refugees in Kigeme Refugee Camp through different livelihood interventions.

The programme helps women form cooperatives, join youth savings groups, and engage with financial institutions to grow their businesses.

During the event, several cooperatives and Saving Groups supported by World Relief in Nyamagabe showcased their projects, many of which focus on agricultural production.

Niyireba also highlighted that WRR will continue to support youths in job creation under Aguka wigire project supported by AGRA and Mastercard foundation in 20 districts. In Nyamagabe alone, the programme targets at least 25,000 youths (70% women) to enrolled in 10 cooperatives, 380 youth farmer learning groups and 150 saving groups.

To improve household nutrition and livelihoods, World Relief distributed small domestic animals such as pigs, goats, and sheep to beneficiary families.

"Having domestic animals is one of the key ways families can improve nutrition and maintain healthy living conditions,” Niyireba said.

Beneficiaries commend impact of support

Beneficiaries of World Relief programmes said the support has helped improve their livelihoods and expand economic opportunities.

Jacqueline Mukakabera, a refugee living in Kigeme Camp and a member of the Kodumu Duhuzimbaraga Mushishito cooperative, said the organization has supported their agricultural activities and helped the cooperative grow.

The cooperative has now built a business valued at about Rwf79 million and recently started mushroom farming.

"They helped us understand how to grow our business by connecting us with financial institutions and increasing the value of our harvest,” she said.

Mukakabera added that financial literacy and development training enabled members of the cooperative to access loans and expand their operations.

She also noted that the program helped refugees integrate with local Rwandan farmers and work together on agricultural initiatives.

Jibu Emima Ishimwe, a youth from Kamegeri Sector in Nyamagabe District and a beneficiary of the Shmee Can program, said the initiative helped young people gain confidence and develop business skills.

"Before World Relief’s training, we were fearful, but now we are confident, can speak in public, and invest in our activities,” she said.

Ishimwe explained that she is part of a youth group of 30 members who received financial literacy training through a partnership between World Relief, the World Food Programme, and Equity Bank.

The group has since started farming garlic and carrots, which they are now preparing to take to market.

"Personally, I started raising chickens that provide eggs and income for my family. I now have about seven of them,” she said.