Women’s Day: Rwandans in Sweden celebrate gender equality milestones

In a vibrant and culturally rich event held in Stockholm on March 16, 2024, over 400 Rwandans and friends of Rwanda convened to celebrate remarkable achievements in gender equality and women empowerment in Rwanda and Sweden. The event, organised by the Rwandan Women’s Association in Sweden (RWAS) and the Embassy of Rwanda in Sweden, titled “Women in Action”, showcased the progress both nations have made in bridging gender gaps and promoting female leadership across various sectors. The event commenced with a warm welcome from the Ambassador of Rwanda to Sweden, Dr Diane Gashumba, and Francine Mukashema, President of the Rwanda Women’s Association in Sweden (RWAS). In their opening remarks, they highlighted the strong leadership of President Paul Kagame and the importance placed on the role of women in developing Rwanda as a prosperous nation. Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Director, and Head of Section for Southern Africa, Anna-Maria Olsson, delivered remarks, emphasising the importance of collaboration and shared experiences in advancing gender equality. Panel discussions, including “Bridging Gender Gaps: Insights from Sweden and Africa”, “Elevating Girls in Leadership: From STEM to Business”, and “Healthcare Equity: Pathways to Accessible and Quality Care for All”, sparked engaging conversations and highlighted strategies for progress. The panel discussions included the International Vaccine Institute, Elekta Foundation, University of Rwanda, students from Kungsholmen High School, Bank of Kigali, and the Rwanda Stock Exchange. Sweden and Rwanda consistently rank high on gender equality indexes, and these panels provided valuable insights, shared experiences, and strategies for ensuring continued success in achieving equality for all. Financial institutions from Rwanda, such as the Bank of Kigali, Rwanda Stock Exchange, and Mo Capital, joined the day, highlighting the nation’s commitment to gender equality through financial inclusion and using this event to sensitise the diaspora to various services at their disposal. Attendees were able to interact with the different institutions at the adjacent exhibition space that was set up. The cultural richness of Rwanda was showcased through captivating musical performances by the RWAS youth traditional dance troupe Amasimbi and Itorero Umucyo, as well as the soulful melodies of Rwandan artistes Teta Diana and Jules Sentore. Renowned Swedish musician Caroline af Ugglas, known for annually hosting concerts where the profits are donated to a recreation centre for children in Kigali, joined the evening, gracing the audience with a few of her hit songs. The event also featured Rwandan coffee cupping and a fashion showcase highlighting multicultural styles. In her closing remarks, Ambassador Gashumba expressed gratitude for the fruitful collaboration between Rwanda and Sweden, underscoring the importance of continued efforts in promoting gender equality and cultural exchange. The “Women in Action” event concluded with a networking and social evening, providing attendees with an opportunity to forge new connections and celebrate the achievements of the day. As Rwanda and Sweden join hands to celebrate their achievements and foster greater collaboration, “Women in Action” serves as a shining example of the power of partnership in advancing gender equality and cultural understanding on a global scale.

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Women’s Day: Rwandans in Sweden celebrate gender equality milestones