State minister for industry and investment promotion Vincent Karega has persuaded women entrepreneurs to use Information and Communication Technology (ICT). He said that this would ease every household’s work and address challenges that hinder women from involving in social and economic activities of their respective nations. “If you look at developed countries like the US, there are no domestic workers but machines do the work especially cooking and washing. Women’s solidarity to learn from each other is therefore paramount if they are to champion change,” he explained.The minister was addressing East African Women Entrepreneurs on Thursday at Prime Holdings in Kigali. The minister’s call comes at a point Rwanda is positioned itself in the great lakes region to champion the use of ICT as a tool for poverty reduction and economic development. Karega also said that capacity building for women should be beyond doing businesses. “Women capacity building is a comprehensive factor. It’s not only training in business or trading but even the way society perceives women role in society. Law must also support it,” he said. He added that the social perception that women roles and powers be exercised discretely and final decisions be taken by males lowers their confidence. He noted that there are still challenges faced by women in their bid to fully attain gender equality. Among the challenges, he cited reproductive health, domestic responsibilities and family care and social perception.Ends
