KAYONZA - Rwanda Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (SWAA), yesterday donated over 100 goats worth Rwf 3.6m to underprivileged men and women in the districts of Kayonza, Ngoma and Kirehe. 

Officiating at the ceremony the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya said that the government of Rwanda helps the needy through such organizations whose aim is to focus on sustainable development.

Mujawamariya, revealed that research has shown that the front line against Gender Based Violence, works well when women have substantial income. 

"The people who have benefited today, will be able to help the needy in the future…the essence is to break the cycle of poverty, so that we attain security in homes.” 

"The majority of those we are helping are women, because they are the most vulnerable. Gender equality can only be achieved if we can economically empower women, especially the rural ones,” she said. 

Shamsi Kazimbaya, the Executive Secretary of SWAA- Rwanda, said that it was time to focus more on implementation of project plans so that people start working. 

She said that the campaign and teaching carried out in the last two years was enough, and paved way for people to start development projects. 

"We have had enough period of sensitization- we must stop meetings and trainings so that we start implementing the theories we have been learning for the last two years,” she said.

Antoinette Mukeshimana, one of the beneficiaries, said that the goats they were given would help the recipients start a meaningful life. 

"Most of these people you see here lived a hopeless life, before the government of Rwanda through SWAA intervened,” Mukeshimana said. "I assure everyone that with goats, you cannot go wrong.” 

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