Sky-high stilettos, nude pumps, and platform heels paraded across a candle-lit red carpet last Friday night at Shooters, Kacyiru.

In observation of International Women’s Day that falls on March 8, events management company, The Central Inc., put together an evening dedicated to the celebration of women.

"We want women to come and just have fun, celebrate who they are,” said Louisa Ombogo, the PR representative of The Central. "Women are celebrated for different things – their resilience, their role in society and in the home – but tonight, we’re celebrating the heart and soul of a woman.”

Over 300 people attended the event, ‘Stiletto Party: Celebrating the Beauty in You,’ which utilised the collaborative efforts of several sponsors in Kigali, including Maisha Spa at Serena Hotel, Mutzig, Net Solutions, Select Restaurant, and DBO Wines.

"The whole set-up with the candles, the red carpet and photography was very specific for the women to make them feel very special from the get-go,” said Bill Nyirimihigo, a representative of The Central, Inc.

Women enjoyed an entrance-free evening accompanied by a selection of red and white wine, and a raffle that awarded lucky recipients with two full day tickets to Maisha Spa, a dinner for two at Select Restaurant, and bottles of wine from DBO Wines.

Also featured at the event were booths of imported jewelry and locally designed accessories for sale by Rwandan women.

"We want to empower women even more,” said Nyirimihigo, "The displays at the event are a good way to showcase that Rwandan women are not only appreciated but they’re working hard and doing things for themselves.”

Many women flocked to Raissa Kanyange’s table, "C&R Jewelry,” which featured a selection of crystal jewelry imported from Italy."In Rwanda, you have limited choices with quality when it comes to jewelry,” said Kanyange, "That’s why I came up with this idea. Crystal is both affordable and good quality.”

Men who attended the event were required to pay an entrance fee of Rwf5000, and received two complimentary drafts of beer. Most were very receptive and supportive of the evening’s focus.

"Men who came were reminded of how much Rwandan women are doing,” said Nyirimihigo, "And, as a guy, it was just a good way for us to show our appreciation to women in general.”Overall, Nyirimihigo considers the evening, which was also The Central’s first official event, a success.

Jules Ngoga, a representative of Net Solutions, discussed the impetus behind his own company’s sponsorship of the event.

"When you see that in more developed countries women are aware about their rights, but in most African countries, many women are still fighting for basic needs,” said Ngoga, "Any initiative that supports women is a good thing to promote.”