RPF women's congress elects new committee

The Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) National Women's Assembly, which includes members from all four provinces, and Kigali City, yesterday elected a new committee that will steer the party until 2017.

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Dean Karemera

The elected members of the RPF women council. (Doreen Umutesi)

The Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) National Women's Assembly, which includes members from all four provinces, and Kigali City, yesterday elected a new committee that will steer the party until 2017.

The election, at Petit Stade Amahoro in Kigali, was attended by top ranking RPF officials, including vice chairperson Christophe Bazivamo, Secretary-General Francois Ngarambe and national electoral commissioner Wellars Gasamagera, among others.

(L-R) Marie Mukantabana and Georgine Munyana were the contenders for the chairperson position and Mukanabana retained the position.

In an election overseen by the chairperson of RPF electoral committee, delegates voted the previous committee executive committee to still steer the party until 2017.

Marie Mukantabana was retained as women’s party’s chairperson. So was, Mediatrice Izibiriza as vice president and Cecile Murumunawabo as secretary general.

RPF Vice Chairperson Christophe Bazivamo congratulates the elected members of the RPF women council.

Odette Musengimana was elected as commissioner of good governance amidst stiff competition. Judith Kazayire was elected as commissioner of Justice, Jeanne Françoise Mubirigi as economy commissioner and Francine Tumushine as social welfare commissioner.

Marie Mukantabana was re-elected as the chairperson for RPF women council presents strategies for the next two years.

Lauding gender parity efforts

In a statement, the women’s congress applauded efforts of the President (who is also the party chairman) for his tireless work in advancing women’s rights and actively participating in women development issues.

RPF Secretary General Francois Ngarambe joins the RPF women members to dance along the party songs.

"We thank our President, Paul Kagame for his determination to make sure that all Rwandans have equal rights and particularly women. We are also happy for what we have achieved and we have made resolutions for the next two years. We pledge to be at the forefront of the development of this country,” the statement read.

Bazivamo further urged women to continue being active participants in the development of women affairs and the country at large.

RPF women dance and chant party songs. (All photos by Doreen Umutesi)

"Women play a vital role in the development of the country and that’s why, we shall continue to involve you in affairs regarding the development of the country. I urge you to continue participating in the development of our country and in the lives of fellow Rwandans,” he said.

The women’s congress comes after that of the youth held on Saturday, which elected the RPF national youth committee.

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