Who ever thought that being First Lady would turn out to be anything other than leading a life of indolent pleasure and luxury, with a retinue of servants to do their every bidding, and playing hostess to visiting Heads of State? This might have constituted the life of a First Lady a decade ago. But not any more this life of measured activity and chosen chores for the modern-day First Lady.

In a world that has become increasingly full of trouble, they have chosen to throw in their lot with others to fight for better conditions of life.

Today this column is dedicated to Rwanda’s First Lady, Mrs Jeannette Kagame, for her untiring efforts to create a better Rwanda. Her civic actions especially in the HIV/Aids fight, and campaign for children, are well chronicled for everyone to see, and the number of international awards in recognition of her fight for a better world  – no mean achievements – speak more volumes than any praise singer can do ample justice to.

However, it is towards her current campaigns to uplift women that I specifically turn. Fresh from a Los Angeles, United States trip at the beginning of this week where she addressed the 3rd Annual Global Summit on Aids and the Church, she came back directly to open the first regional roundtable of women entrepreneurs at Prime Holdings, Kimihurura.
She urged government to empower women more by availing funding so that they participate more actively in the private sector and build entrepreneurial competitiveness.

She is not only mobilizing women efforts to development, she has also come up with an initiative to reward young Rwandan women achievers, where outstanding effort in everything including leadership skills will be recognized. Imbuto Foundation will thus have started mentoring future women leaders since there will be a driving force to propel them to succeed in whatever they will be doing.

For all the many initiatives that you have brought to fruition, we thank Mrs Kagame, and say that Rwanda is blessed to have you, and fully recognises your efforts in championing the women’s and children’s cause. 
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