A workshop aimed at raising the capacity of women to be a tool in promoting nutrition and hygiene was recently conducted for members of the National Women Council in Gasabo District.

Held in Bugesera early this week, the two-day workshop also aimed at enhancing the capacities of the National Women Council leaders in planning and implementation of their programmes in line with government priorities. The workshop was held in partnership with Society for Family Health (SFH), a non-profit organisation.

For the last two decades, SFH Rwanda has enhanced people’s lives by offering innovative, healthy and sustainable solutions to healthier lives.

Over 50 women leaders from Gasabo were taken through different learning sessions, including, gender equality, by the district coordinator and gender expert, Donnah Kamashazi.

Lessons on gender responsive budgeting and its role in women empowerment were also conducted by Stephen Hitimana, the planning expert, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.

During the workshop, attendees were also sensitised about the importance of nutrition and the need to improve coordination of actors in the struggle to fight against malnutrition in the district.

Society for Family Health Rwanda has since the beginning of this year been running a nutrition advocacy campaign for increased attention by the government and private sector to act on what is needed to end all forms of malnutrition.

Wandera Gihana Manasse, the executive director, Society for Family Health, said women can play a big role in reducing the numbers of malnutrition and stunting in sectors where it is still high.

"We target women in this campaign against malnutrition and stunting because they are the ones that have a say on what is eaten at home and how food is prepared. Therefore, they can play a big role in ensuring proper nutrition and hygiene in our houses so as to fight this problem which is on the rise,” said Manasse.

According to SFH records, 38 per cent of children below 5 years in Kigali are suffering from malnutrition, with 17,394 children stunted in Gasabo District.

Manasse said with women’s efforts, these numbers can be reduced through advocating for increment of funds invested to address malnutrition in their districts.

Being a silent killer that can even affect a child’s thinking, attendees were asked to implement actions to address malnutrition in all its forms for sustainable development since children are the future of the nation.

Rose Rwabuhihi, the chief gender monitor, National Women Council, cautioned women leaders in their different sectors to look out for cases sexual abuse against girls and children being physically violated.

She encouraged women to adopt the habit of listening to radios and watching news on television in a bid to keep informed rather than spending their time on worthless activities.

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