First Lady Jeannette Kagame urged believers to ensure that their Christian responsibilities and cultural values are used to promote the family setting and contribute to socioeconomic development of the country. ALSO READ: Faith and patriotism run on the same principles and values – First Lady She made the remarks at the closing of the 11th edition of All Women Together conference themed “From victims to champions” organized by Women Foundation Ministries from August 8 to 11. The international conference, held at Kigali Convention Center, attracted more than 5,000 people including government officials, academicians, and private sector from different African countries, Europe, Asia, Australia, and other parts of the world. It featured award-winning gospel artiste Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu known as Sinach, renowned singer Rehema Simfukwe from Tanzania, and Pastor Jessica Kayanja, Uganda, and Apostle Elhadj Diallo, Canada. Based on the pillar of not only impacting women spiritually, building them emotionally, and empowering them financially to contribute to the country’s economic development, the forum tackles different setbacks that women face in their empowerment journeys and unleashes their potential. In her remarks, Mrs. Kagame noted that in today’s world, there are people who twist what the Bible says and use it to oppress women, ignoring that God despises when a person created in his own image is degraded. “If civil society including faith-based organizations commit to aligning with the national priorities and using their link with the community to allow all our efforts to converge at all levels, we can make our Rwanda the promised land which God has prepared for us,” she noted. To that, she said, the progress achieved by the leadership of Rwanda, its communities and families is commendable, “yes, the body of Rwanda was tortured and assaulted but its spirit never did and will never die.” With reference to biblical scripture 1 Peter 4:13 which states: “God is love”, she called on everyone to understand that their existence is not by accident and that their lives should have a purpose with the main goal of love. “In the heart of a woman who always seeks excellence, we are asked to combine Christian responsibilities, cultural values, and what the family and the country expect from us, and do it all with hard work and a loving heart. Good judgment is essential in fulfilling all these responsibilities.” In addition, she reminded pastors and other servants of God to continue the task of teaching and protecting Christians, whereas Christians, they should also be vigilant, and accompany their faith with right discernment. “Continue to participate in programs aimed at improving the health of the child and the mother in terms of hygiene, nutrition, and other things that help a person to live safely as you already started, keep doing so.” Apostle Alice Mignonne Kabera, Founder of Women Foundation Ministries and Noble Family Church, said that besides teachings delivered in the conference, women from different parts of the country and other foreign countries are taught on different topics including financial literacy, fighting gender inequality, drug abuses, among others. She highlighted how the church empowers the people through three pillars mainly the spiritual, emotional wholesomeness, and financial freedom, as aligned with the country’s National Transformation Strategy of socioeconomic development. Pastor Jessica Kayanja of Uganda urged the attendees to be resilient in the face of many tribulations and find a purpose for greatness with reference to the biblical scripture in Genesis 50:20. “As women, when we go through hardships, we tend to feel many emotions but you should be able to ask God to give you ideas, and innovations, discover your purpose in pain and believe that God’s plan of your life is good.” The First Lady commended the community of Women Foundation Ministries for their contributions to the socioeconomic development of the country through the empowerment of women and families and encouraged them to do even more. “Where granted the means by your faith and God, may you double your efforts.”
