The First Lady Jeannette Kagame has reiterated the need for stakeholders to work together to create an environment in education that dispels gender myths to ensure all children are given a fair chance at a bright future.

Speaking at the event to mark the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE Rwanda)’s 20th anniversary, held in Kigali on Friday, Mrs Kagame noted that it’s everyone’s responsibility to contribute to a well-educated society through investing in an inclusive education system.

FAWE Rwanda's 20th anniversary marked the National Conference on Investing in Education which was presided over by the First Lady.

"I invite us all to collectively invest more of our time, ideas and resources to create an environment that dispels gender myths and encourages coordination to ensure our children, the leaders of tomorrow, are truly given a fair chance at a bright future,” she said.

She added that, "it is my hope that through the National Conference on Investing in Education, all of us, as individuals and organisations, will continue to advocate for and support, initiatives that believe in the education, emancipation and empowerment of our daughters and sisters”.

Mrs Kagame highlighted that providing support to educators and students goes a long way in empowering the society to becoming a resilient society.

"You do not want to go through life, not living to your fullest potential and risking to live a life of regrets, by missing out on becoming an integral part of this beautiful nation, we call home Rwanda,” she noted.

Imbuto Foundation, which was founded by the First Lady, has paired 2,000 students with teachers and mentors through learning clubs, rewarded 4,800 girls who excelled in school and provided over 8,000 scholarships to well-performing but vulnerable students.

During the meeting, Mrs Kagame also challenged parents to instill in their children a thirst for knowledge, the zeal to excel, innovate and set ambitious goals and standards, regardless of their gender, as their subsequent contribution to, and value in society, is equally appreciated.

"Bringing up a child in a loving, healthy and peaceful environment, keeping in mind that while we cannot exhaustively teach our children, a great deal of what they learn, is communicated through what they see, in our actions and behaviors,” First Lady urged parents.

FAWE bridging gender gap

First Lady paid tribute to the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Rwanda Chapter as an institution that further contributed to Rwanda’s efforts to bridge the gender gap in education enrollment, retention, and completion by providing scholarships at the secondary school level; and now at the tertiary level, through their education programme.

"FAWE Rwanda has over the years strengthened its position as an institution providing Quality Education for young women and supporting many brilliant girls from vulnerable backgrounds to obtain a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to alter the course of their lives,” Mrs Kagame said.

The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) is a Pan African women’s organisation whose mission is to support girls’ and women acquire education for development.

FAWE was founded in 1992 and its headquarters are in Nairobi, Kenya.

FAWE Rwanda is one of the 34 chapters across Africa. The Rwandan Chapter was founded in 1997 by a group of Rwandese women whose common goal is to build the country and promote national development through girls’ and women’s education.

Since its inception, FAWE Rwanda has grown to become a reputable partner and focal point on female education in Rwanda, now with over 2200 alumni and two all-girls schools centers of excellences; FAWE Gisozi (a Kigali suburb) and FAWE Gahini in the Eastern Province.

"FAWE has also supported girl’s education programmes in other schools across the country. As such, FAWE alumni are serving the country is different sectors from private to public sector and some in military as members of the air force pilots ” said Jennifer Mujuni, Chairperson FAWE Rwanda Chapter.

Martha Muhwezi, a Senior Programme Coordinating Officer at FAWE Regional Secretariat commended FAWE Rwanda and the local authorities for setting up policies that ensure all Rwandan girls access quality education, perform well and complete their studies.

Mrs Kagame also challenged the youth, especially girls, to speak up, embrace new ideas, explore science and technology and bring solutions to challenges faced on daily basis in communities.

Meanwhile, at the event, the First Lady received the 'Champion of Honour' Award, for her exceptional service, dedication, commitment and devotion in empowering women and girls through education.