The government has come up with a programme to help increase the number of girls enrolled in technical and vocational schools, according to officials in charge of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET). This comes at a time the country is promoting the spirit of self-reliance. This is most likely to be achieved when the girl child is skilled enough to take on the world confidently.It is equally commendable that the government aims to ensure the total number of students joining TVET increases to over 60 per cent of the total student population by 2017, up from 38 per cent today. These efforts deserve all the support from every citizen, especially parents, guardians, as well as political and civil leaders.Equipping girls with practical skills gives them far much better chances of leading better lives. It would eventually help nurture a crop of innovative citizenry because skilled mothers inspire and mould their children to be creative at an early age. It is no secret that the environment in which we live shapes our thinking and way of life.Also, besides supporting the government’s efforts to ensure gender equity and equality, efforts to have more girls in technical and vocational schools is in line with the country’s aspirations of having highly skilled human capital.As we plan for an industrial Rwanda tomorrow, let’s embrace and support these efforts to ensure a meaningful, bright future for the girl child. As they say, a skilled woman means a skilled nation. Let’s also remember that the future belongs to the skilled; those who will use their innovation to create jobs for themselves and others.