Elisabeth Niyirora, 57, a secondary school teacher at Hanika high school in Nyanza District, Southern Province, does not relent when it comes to her resolve to be a member of Parliament and contribute to national development as a lawmaker.

She is vying for a third time after two unsuccessful ones.

The mother of five – four daughters, and one son, has been a teacher for 35 years – starting from 1989 when she began her career in education. She currently teaches entrepreneurship, Kinyarwanda, and religion and ethics.

On May 23, she filed her candidature with the National Electoral Commission (NEC) for parliamentary elections due July.

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The first time Niyirora bid for a parliamentary position was in 2013, and since lawmakers have a five-year term according to the current legislation, the second time was in 2018.

"We are many candidates, therefore, not all of us can win at the same time [because parliamentary seats are limited],” she said when journalists asked her why she did not secure a position in the Lower House in the last two elections.

She said that she wants to be a member of Parliament "so that I collaborate with other Rwandans to build my country [in such a capacity] and continue to uphold what was achieved.”

"Relenting is not a way of my life, so I must not give up, I have to persevere,” she said, adding she has hope of securing a place in the legislature at least based on how people in her community have trust in her as a supporter of family wellbeing.

Niyirora said that she is the representative of Inshuti z’Umuryango (IZU) or ‘Friends of the Family’ programme in Busasamana Sector, Nyanza District.

IZU are a cadre of para-professional volunteers who are selected by residents in every village (one male and one female) based on their good reputation. They usually work as a pair in supporting children and families and are responsible for assisting in the protection of children from neglect, violence, abuse, and exploitation.

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One of the areas of focus under Inshuti z’Umuryango programme, Niyirora said, is addressing family conflicts "which are currently causing havoc in households.”

She pointed out that when families entangled in conflicts are identified, they reach out to them and reconcile them, and contribute to return to school of children who dropped out of school [as a result of family conflicts].