Editor,

RE: "Why Rwanda is an amazing country” (The New Times, November 5).

As much as it is of the utmost importance that our girls and women are empowered beyond all limits, this article is simplistic in the most disturbing way. How can one compare a tradition that is thousands of years old (perhaps one of the very few remaining on earth) with modern views of womanhood?

I can't fathom why anyone who is familiar in the least bit with who we used to be, would be willing to insinuate that Western imported views of womanhood, which themselves stem from a need to emancipate their women due to a centuries old subjugation of a woman by toxic patriarchy (something they invented and of course we embraced eagerly thanks to slavery and colonialism both by Westerners and Arabs), be compared to our not-so-perfect ways in which women were seen as the pillars of every household, community and the whole nation at large?

I refuse to believe that the author of this article isn't at least familiar with this fact. Our modern ways of life are nothing but an imitation (and a very troublesome one at that) of a very obsolete tradition that colonial powers left us with.

There's nothing Rwandan about how women are viewed today. Granted our ancient customs and traditions weren't perfect. Far from it. They were not. And that's a fact!

But instead of vilifying ourselves while not understanding who we once were, should be left to Western critics who need to justify their never ending quest to "civilise” indigenous peoples of the world, and actually focus on improving our ways of yesteryear. Otherwise we'll end up exactly where we are today — still clinging on to Western ways of existing while they move on to better (for them) their lives and that of their communities. Just like we did with their religions, physical presentation, clothing... This has got to stop!

Ali Rukariza