Rwanda’s Amavubi may not be participating at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon but the country is making the headlines at the tournament, nonetheless, thanks to our own Salma Mukansanga. In a first, the 30-year-old is the only woman on a 24-member list of centre referees to officiate matches at the continent’s biggest football competition. The Rwanda Premier League referee is one of the best referees in the land and her inclusion in the group of elite match officials for the 33rd AfCon edition is a testament to her hard work, professionalism and dedication. For breaking into a club that has historically been exclusive for men, Mukansanga has not only inspired generations of young female referees and other athletes, but she has helped galvanise the spirit of gender equality and women empowerment across Africa. Her steady rise to the continent’s biggest football stage is a beautiful story of a girl who refused to be defined and held back by stereotypes and other gender barriers, but instead firmly kept her eyes on the ball. In many ways, Mukansanga epitomises the story of Rwandan girls and women across different domains in recent years, which have seen many break through the glass ceiling – including in STEM subjects and other disciplines that were previously seen as a reserve for men. Indeed, women trailblazers like Mukansanga offer a good example to millions of girls and women around Rwanda and beyond that could subsequently be emboldened to pursue their own dreams regardless of prevailing gender stereotypes. It also serves as a reminder to parents, schools and communities, in general, to serve as a social support system and create a favourable environment for children, regardless of their gender, as they chart their career paths and chase their dreams. Instead of discouraging and blocking them from following their passion because of how they were born, we should lend them a helping hand and help make their journey less daunting. We extend our warmest congratulations to Salma Mukansanga and wish her all the best at the tournament and in her career aspirations.
