Involvement of East African women in the region’s integration agenda is very important and must be enhanced, regional lawmakers have said. Rwanda’s representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), who are currently on a countrywide sensitisation tour, say Rwandan women should make the most of the integration agenda. Last Friday, the lawmakers interacted with women groups’ representatives in various parts of the country. The chairperson of EALA Rwanda Chapter, MP Patricia Hajabakiga, told The New Times, yesterday, that they traversed Gatsibo, Kayonza and Nyagatare districts where they met and talked to the leadership of women councils, cooperatives and civil society. Discussion topics included the historical background, the objectives, components of the EAC Treaty, and the negotiated protocols and laws. “We urged them to harness the benefits of Easct African Community integration and to increase production to take advantage of the bigger market.Women in EAC are more than 50 per cent of the total population and therefore their participation is critical,” Hajabakiga said. “However, it was noted that few women are involved in cross-border trade and most of those involved are still in the informal sector. We also noticed a lack of information on EAC matters on their part, and most of them acknowledged that they know that Rwanda is a member of EAC but had never been sensitised about it.” According to Hajabakiga, some of the women expressed concern that free movement of goods across EAC would make Rwanda a dumping place and a market for others. “Some raised issues of insecurity and corruption, unequal treatment when they cross the border, among others.”Recommendations to array fears – most of which stem from ignorance. The lawmakers are also recommending creation of an information desk and checklist at the borders on allowed goods and services under the EAC common market protocol, among others. On Monday, the lawmakers held meetings in Kirehe, Rwamagana and Ngoma districts. The team is set to wrap up its country tour on Friday. EALA is working to get to the bottom of issues affecting the regional economic bloc’s integration agenda. This is the second phase of the outreach programme following the phase held in April. In April, each EAC Partner State started an outreach and sensitisation programme themed: “EAC Integration Agenda: Accessing the gains” seeking to sensitise citizens on the overall integration process, create awareness on the gains and challenges of integration, and enhance mutual relationships and sustainable networking between EALA and citizens. Sensitisation in high gear Elsewhere in the region, the sensitisation activities also continue. In Kampala, key highlights of the EALA Uganda Chapter’s outreach programme have in the past few days included meetings with cabinet ministers and other high ranking government officials. Led by MP Nusura Tiperu, discussions focus on strengthening integration in readiness for the political federation.They also discus standardisation of goods and to create an environment that facilitates trade. The outreach programme, which is undertaken by the EALA local chapters, also seeks to keep the EAC populace informed on the role of EALA in the integration process and to enhance interaction between the private sector and the civil society. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
