58 percent of women employed in informal industries

According to an International Finance Corporation (IFC) report, the country also has 42 percent of enterprises headed by women. This is said to be spurred by the 2003 constitution and matrimonial inheritance and land law reforms Women dominate the informal sector with a share of 58 percent, the Minister of Trade and Industry said recently. Monique Nsanzabaganwa while speaking at the opening of Jua kali symposium, on Friday last week said that this percentage of women contributes 30 percent of the gross national product (GNP). Informal sector refers to economic activities that fall outside the formal economy regulated by the state. Nsanzabaganwa explained that the informal sector comprising of micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is important in achieving development goals worldwide. She explained that the sector provides 85 percent of ‘off-farm’ jobs. The Jua Kali symposium is part of the programme for the expo at Gikondo show grounds that promotes and facilitates SME development. It is the first time Rwanda is hosting the exposition despite participation in the last four events. According to a 2005/06 Labour Market and Economic Activity survey by National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) which says females the majority of the work force, estimated to be 4.38 million of the Rwandan population. The study indicates that less than 2 million of the employed workforce is masculine. Other developmental goals the sector contributes are reduction of poverty and hunger. According to International Finance Corporation (IFC) report, ‘Voices of Women Entrepreneurs in Rwanda’, the country also has 42 percent of enterprises headed by women. This is said to be spurred by the 2003 constitution and matrimonial inheritance and land law reforms. Nsanzabaganwa explained that most micro SMEs operate in an informal way yet represent a big share of Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in the East African Community (EAC) member states. Some of the challenges range from inadequate legal structure, to poor physical infrastructure, inappropriate technology and limited capacity access markets. Nsanzabaganwa however stressed, “It is our responsibility in government to coordinate actions geared at alleviating these problems, as the sector players also facilitate the transformation.” She added that women are the most affected since they are the dominant group in the sector. At the workshop were the informal sector was trained on quality and standards of SMEs improvement, Nsanzabaganwa urged relevant institutions and people to implement policies that facilitate Jua kali members. The symposium is part of the programme for Jua Kali expo that promotes and facilitate SME development. It is the first time Rwanda is hosting the exposition despite participation in the last four events. Ends

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58 percent of women employed in informal industries