The Women in Leadership Summit and Awards convened on March 14 and 15 in Kigali, creating a vibrant arena for aspiring female leaders to connect with pioneers, participate in workshops aimed at skill enhancement, engage in meaningful conversations, and gain actionable advice to propel them forward in their leadership and entrepreneurship journeys.
This prestigious event celebrated the achievements of 45 remarkable women leaders who have shattered glass ceilings and overcame hurdles in diverse sectors including entrepreneurship, sports, arts and culture, education, finance, technology, and health, among others.
Organised by Lead Access, a consultancy firm committed to empowering leaders at all levels through training, coaching, and mentoring, the summit and awards were made possible by the partnership of the Mastercard Foundation, Agra, ESP, BPN, and AFR.
Iris Irumva, the CEO of Lead Access, highlighted the crucial responsibility of women to support one another and emphasized that the purpose of the event is not to see women compete among each other but to accelerate and progress together.
Irumva also emphasized the importance for all stakeholders to recognize and address the needs of women consistently, beyond just the month of March.
"Too often, the spotlight on our achievements, our struggles, and our leadership shines brightly in March, only to dim for the rest of the year.
"Our vision at Lead Access became clearer: It’s to build a platform where the conversation on women empowerment is not confined to a month but is a continuous, evolving dialogue " she pointed out.
Anemone Basabakwishi, the Chairwoman of Lead Access, in her keynote speech, inspired the award recipients to continue being sources of hope and inspiration for others. "We celebrate not only the individual achievements of these amazing women but also their collective strength, and resilience of all nominees," she remarked.
A glimpse into the winners names and categories
The summit featured 15 award categories, with each category having one winner selected from among three nominees.
Trailblazers like Micheline Kwizera in technology, Dianah Mukundwa in finance, and Sherrie Silver for social impact stood out. Aline Berabose claimed the health and wellness pioneer award, while Gloria Girabawe emerged as the entrepreneurship rising star. Queen Kalimpinya was celebrated in sports, and Nathalie Munyampenda was recognized for her educational contributions.
Other notable winners included Malaika Uwamahoro in arts and culture, Marie Ange Raissa Uwamungu for gender equality work, and Anita Umutoniwase for conservation and sustainability efforts. Dr. Marie Solange Uwineza excelled in agriculture; Dr. Edwige Kampire in science innovation; Sonia Iraguha in hospitality and tourism; and Fiona Muthoni in media and communication. The lifetime achievement category, honored Marie Jeanne Mukankuranga, Daphrose Mukarutamaha, and Sister Helene Nayituriki for their enduring contributions.
Leading the way
During her speech, Rwanda Development Board Chief Tourism Officer Michaella Rugwizangoga thanked the government for promoting women in all fields.
"We have a policy that says that at least 30 per cent of women are represented in every leadership segment, from the village cells to the national government.
"Rwanda adopted a new constitution that guarantees gender parity and prohibits discrimination based on gender. Furthermore, 61 per cent of women hold positions of power. And for that, I believe we should praise our government,” she continued.
"It’s amazing to see so many Rwandan women excelling in their respective fields, and it’s also incredible to see all generations represented.”