NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI — Women with disabilities in the Gacurabwenge Byumba Sector in Gicumbi district have made tremendous strides in managing small scale income generating projects to eradicate poverty.

Grouped under Duhugurane Association, the member association was initiated way back in 2005 and is engaged in the sewing of pullovers and table covers.

Didacienne Nagasanzwe, the association’s chairperson said their association gets a ready market from area schools and beyond including orders from private organisations operating in the district.

"We produce a minimum of 10 pullovers per day, each worth Rwf 5,000 for adults and Rwf3000 for children. We also make table or cupboard covers whose price depends on the size required by our customers,” explained Nagasanzwe.

The Duhugurane Association has five electric sewing machines which were bought by the members, after pulling together their resources. Currently, the association boasts of a wide market from schools in other districts in the province.

They intend to increase the number of share holders in the association, to boost their production capacity.

"Due to many orders from schools in the Rulindo, Gakenke, Burera and Musanze districts, we intend to increase members of the association, to produce more,” said the association’s secretary Francoise Nyirakimonyo.

Besides participating in income generating economic activities, members also participate in other government programmes including participating in the monthly community work (Umuganda), to keep the environment around their work place clean.

Unlike in the past, when people with disabilities were discriminated, today they are given opportunities to improve their well being.

The government has facilitated them to be represented in Parliament. They are involved in all other spheres of political, social and economic activities, thereby enabling them to make significant contributions towards Rwanda’s transformation.

In addition to this, the African Union (AU) declared the African Decade for Disabled Persons (ADDP), intended to identify solutions that enhance the full participation, equality and empowerment of Africans with disabilities.

The AU’s effort is designed to reduce poverty, give disabled children more access to education and increase their access to adequate health services.

The ADDP initiative works closely with organisations of persons with disabilities, International Organisations such as the UN and its specialised agencies, including workers organisations.

ADDP action plan calls upon AU member states and governments to formulate measures that ensure equal opportunities and full participation and independence of persons with disabilities in society.

It is in this regard that the Rwandan government has put measures, particularly for women’s emancipation and the full recognition of persons with disability.

During celebrations to mark Rwanda Association of University Women (RAUW), early this year, in Kacyiru, government officials urged Rwandan women including those with disability to pursue courses in science and technology, in order to steer development in the country.

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