National

GATSIBO – Members of Women’s Council in Gatsibo District have reasons to smile after registering tremendous achievements last year.

At a ceremony to celebrate their achievements, members said the progress attained in 2011 included the anti-Nyakatsi campaign, mobilising residents to join Umurenge Saccos, sensitising women to adopt family planning techniques as well as the fight against malnutrition at the household level.

Highlighting this year’s targets, the district vice mayor in charge of social affairs, Esperance Uwimpuhwe challenged women to prioritise hygiene and sanitation and to fight illiteracy as well as combating gender based violence.

“A lot was achieved by the women’s council last year but we encourage you to double efforts in fighting gender-based violence,” she underlined.

To combat malnutrition, women in the district agreed to dispense cows to poor families and to sensitise residents to engage in poultry farming.

Solange Bamurange, the vice president of Gatsibo District women’s council said that the performance contracts signed by the council members would be implemented at the village level.