Support policies on women empowerment, men told

Men have been urged to support women in empowering themselves and help them in realising their potential. This was during yesterday’s fundraising event in Remera, Kigali, dubbed, “Walk in Her Shoes” campaign organised by CARE International to raise funding for its international poverty fight programmes. The event saw hundreds of Rwandans walk with piles and jerrycans of water, as a symbol to express their support and solidarity for the women and girls who must walk that far each day, to secure water and other basic needs for themselves and their families. Bena Musembi, the country director of CARE Rwanda, said the symbol of solidarity and fundraising was in support of the women and girls in reaching their maximum potential. “We wanted to emphasise the daily hustles of women, especially the rural woman, but also cheer them on their capability to achieve their dreams. We are expressing our solidarity with all the people celebrating women, even when they are poor,” she said. Men carry jerrycans of water in support of women and girls who do the same everyday to secure water and other basic needs for their families. / Nadege Imbabazi By walking 10,000 steps a day in solidarity ‘Walk in her shoes’ fundraising event is seeking to raise funds to support CARE’s community-based efforts to improve education, health and economic opportunity for girls and women, which, in turn, helps their families emerge from poverty. “While our walking is symbolic, these people can empower women and girls by contributing money, thereby improving their health and opportunity while expanding their access to a quality education and create new opportunities around them,” Musembi said. Jacqueline Kamanzi, who represented the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion at the function, called on all stakeholders to work together in ensuring that Rwanda’s agenda in fully empowering women is met. “Rwanda is one of the countries leading in gender equality and women empowerment. We still have a long way to go however, which is why we need to step up our fight in supporting women. This can only be done by uniting and supporting government policies,” she said. ‘Walk in her shoes’ is a global fundraising programme that supports CARE International’s programme to empower women, girls and their communities to emerge out of poverty. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Support policies on women empowerment, men told