NYAGATARE —  Members of Rwanda Truckers’ Spouses Association in Nyagatare District, have resolved to form a cooperative society as a tool to fight poverty in their families. 

The members made the decision after completing a five –day workshop on cooperatives, and HIV/AIDS awareness, at EER Nyagatare, last Saturday. 

The workshop was financed by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). 

In an interview, Aisha Irene Mbabazi, the head of the association in the country, said: "These women are clearly family heads since their husbands spend long out side their homes. We decide to train them on formation of cooperatives as a way of transforming their financial status.” 

Mbabazi added that the participants were also trained on other disciplines including reproductive health and fighting domestic violence. 

Hope Kantengwa, the association head in Matimba sector, said their goal is to make women economically independent.

The district vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Rebecca Kalungi, pledged support to the women, challenging them to effectively utilise the knowledge acquired from the workshop. 

"One of my assignments is to look at the social welfare of women in the district and you are among the target group… I will help you to ensure that everything you have learnt from here is fully implemented,” she said. 

The women said lack of operational license and offices was among their challenges.

Started in 2006, the association has 2017 members and operates in the districts of Rusizi, Huye, Gicumbi, Muhanga, Nyagatare and Kigali. 

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