The City of Kigali Mayor, Monique Mukaruriza, urged women to act as catalysts of society development by sharing their skills with others.

She was closing training and mini-exhibition of various handcrafts products from 21 cooperatives of former sex-workers and street vendors.

Organised under Agaseke project, different women displayed various handcrafts products, including baskets, jewelleries, Kitenge clothes, decorations, among others.

It was organised under the theme ‘Buy one item and improve a woman’s livelihood.’

At least 567 women who underwent three-month training in making various handcraft products received certificates on the same day.

Mukaruriza reminded women of their role in contributing toward society development.

"Ambitious women are the backbones of society development. This training is a golden opportunity, you will be expected to share your acquired skills with others to have a society which is self-reliant,” she said.

"Strengthening handicrafts sector will contribute to the growth of Made-in-Rwanda products. So, you should serve as the catalysts for economic development.”

Fatou Aminata Lo, UN Women representative in Rwanda, observed that working in cooperatives would empower women to compete on the international stage.

"With cooperatives you learn from each other. It is time your collective efforts earned you opportunities to sell your attractive handcrafts beyond local to regional markets,” said Aminata Lo.

She pledged UN Women’s continued partnership with Rwandan women in different development initiatives.

Women participants speak

Judith Murekatete, the president of Agaseke cooperatives’ union and a former street vendor in Kacyiru, said the acquired handcrafts skills have transformed their lives.

"Former marginalised women, including myself, have a new life. Through cooperatives, we get bank loans, we share ideas and we are self-reliant,” Murekatete said.

Vestine Uwimana, a 47 year-old mother of three, was a street vendor for five years in Nyabugogo.

She said the acquired skills have both empowered her and secured their life.

"I’m able to raise school fees for my three secondary school children,” said Uwimana, a member of Itange Craft Corner Cooperative.

Challenges

The women also outlined some of their challenges.

63-year-old Immaculate Mukayizire, from Kunda Umurimo Cooperative, said lack of raw materials is among some of their challenges.

Mayor Mukaruriza said various measures are being taken to address the challenges facing Agaseke project.

In partnership with UN Women in Rwanda, a handcrafts house in Rebero is soon to be completed to enable a number of women work freely, according to the mayor.

Mukaruriza called on women handcraft makers to participate in different ‘Made-in-Rwanda’ exhibitions to grow their exposure. 

Agaseke project is a handcraft woman empowerment project of Kigali city in partnership with UN Women.

Currently, the project comprises of 1983 women and 17 men grouped in 53 cooperatives from the three districts of Kigali City: Nyarugenge, Gasabo and Kicukiro, according Joseph Mutware, Community Mobilisation Officer of Agaseke Promotion Project.

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