First Lady rallies women to engage more in male-dominated ventures

First Lady Jeannette Kagame has called on leaders at different levels to encourage women to actively engage in business initiatives that would uplift their economic status toward achieving economic empowerment. Mrs Kagame made the remarks while officiating at the Unity Club Gala Dinner held Tuesday evening, as part of the celebrations to mark the International Womens Day (IWD). The First Lady doubles as the chairperson of Unity Club, a forum for current and former cabinet members and their spouses. Countrywide, IWD was celebrated under the theme, “Step it up for gender equality, strive for women empowerment.” The gala dinner was organised in partnership with the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion and New Faces New Voices, an initiative focusing on the economic empowerment of women through their increased financial inclusion. The First Lady with other VIP guests, IFC president Ignace Bacyaha Rusenga and his spouse (far left), Speaker Domitilla Mukabalisa, and Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa with her spouse. The event partly aimed at reflecting on the 20 years of Unity Club, and the new partnership with New Faces New Voices-Rwanda Chapter. “Our nation has, for many years now, been acknowledging the importance of women, and the irreplaceable duties they carry out, for the wellbeing of our communities…as we gather to celebrate International Women’s Day, we must reflect on our responsibilities, as women leaders and members of civil society at large, to uphold the meaning of this day,” she said. She added: “However, we should not relax — knowing that we have good political will to empower women — thinking that we got it all. But rather, we should use every available opportunity to uplift other women at the grassroots level who are still vulnerable.” The First Lady called for nurturing of young girls to be courageous in venturing into various initiatives that would empower them economically. Mrs Kagame said that there are a number of investment opportunities available for women to partake, which would help in uplifting them out of poverty. Singling out the new Women Development Fund — a savings initiative by New Faces New Voices-Rwanda — the First Lady said that this could be a catalyst to bringing about women’s financial emancipation. Unity Club executive secretary Regine Iyamuremye commended government policies that have been inclusive and gender sensitive, which have resulted in a big number of women voted into various positions in the just concluded local government polls. Unity Club was established 20 years ago, and preparations are underway to mark its anniversary later this year, according to Iyamuremye. “This is the time for us to have stronger mechanisms and advocacy to improve the economic status of the Rwandan woman,” she said. Iyamuremye announced that Unity Club made a total initial deposit of Rwf74 million into Women Development Fund, which was established as an investment fund which will help women grow their wealth, while benefiting from the different advantages that come with being more active in the financial world. The Chairperson of New Faces New Voices - Rwanda Chapter, Monique Nsanzabaganwa, said that the Fund already has an initial capital of about US$20 million, and seeks to expand shares to all women willing to buy into them. The Executive Secretary of Unity Club, Regine Iyamuremye, delivers her welcome remarks at the gala dinner. New Faces New Voices was established in Rwanda nine months ago, with a vision for a Rwanda where women co-create their full financial inclusion and reach their economic potential. “We want to see women, in all levels of life, becoming financially independent; whether those in cooperatives, salary earners, entrepreneurs—we all need to join efforts and create financial freedom,” Nsanzabaganwa said. Nsanzabaganwa called on the husbands to support their wives in investing in the new women’s fund. Mireille Karera, the Managing Director of Kora Associates and event director of Global Womens Summit, presented resolutions from the just-concluded global women’s summit which focused on education, empowerment, and entrepreneurship, saying that Rwanda’s political will had been instrumental in making the country outstanding in women empowerment on the global scale. Meanwhile, the summit, which was organised in collaboration with New Faces New Voices and IFC World Bank Group, recognized the most outstanding women’s business projects, which received a financial boost to expand production. Awards 1. Ysolde Ishimwe, of Uzuri K&Y Designs: Rwf10 million cash prize, plus consulting and coaching services. The total value for the gifts and prize is Rwf 15 million 2. Christelle Kwizera, of Warwanda: Rwf6 million, plus other opportunities with a total value of about Rwf10 million. 3. Colombe Ituze, of Inco Icyusa fashion house: Cash prize of Rwf4 million with other opportunities mounting to Rwf7.6 million. In a related development, the First Lady’s efforts in the fight against gender based violence and promotion of women empowerment were recognized at the 5th Kigali International Conference Declaration (KICD) General Assembly in Algeria. Mrs Kagame was the first runners up with the first award going to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, while the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon became the third recipient. Mrs Kagame’s award was presented to the Inspector General of Rwanda National Police, Emmanuel K Gasana, who attended the meeting. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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First Lady rallies women to engage more in male-dominated ventures