Today women have daringly embarked on tough and brawny professions like construction, and games like wrestling, boxing and even body-building. The New Times’ Society writer, LINDA MBABAZI in a mini survey in Kigali posed the million dollar question that revealed this response. 

"Why should women build muscles and go to the extremes like men. Women are supposed to look sexy, and in this case, a woman who overly builds her muscles doesn’t look sexy at all.”

Karine Utamaliza, First runner up Miss Rwanda 2009 and former Miss NUR.

"Women should build muscles, because they are naturally physically weak, and some wicked men take advantage of that to harass and assault them. If a woman is strong, she will always be able to defend herself in case she is attacked.”

Alphonse Twizeyimana, alias Papa Amanda, Businessman. 

"I am a sports man, and I love women who are muscular and fit. In fact, I encourage all Rwandan women to do lots of physical exercises and develop stronger muscles.”

Richard Murenzi, Technician.

"A few muscles are fine, but I wouldn’t encourage our sisters to go to the extreme of developing bulging biceps like men.”

Lick Lick, Music Producer, Unlimited Records.

"Of course, it is important for women to build muscles. For example, Rwandan women are very soft and look lazy. But if they do exercises and develop some muscles, it will help them to be strong and firm. Also, brawny women can’t easily be bullied, which saves them from assaults and all kind of abuse by men, especially in homes. Women need be strong but feminine.” 

Jolie Murenzi, Art Director at Rwanda Cinema Centre.

"Women should be encouraged to build muscles, but they should of course avoid overworking out to look like men.”

Bridgette Uwera, Miss Rwanda Tourism University.

"Yes, women should be encouraged to develop muscles, but they should maintain the feminine figure and not to look like bouncers or heavyweight champions. However, it is not common in Rwanda to find a muscular women, so whoever wishes to embrace the trend, should try not to exaggerate their muscles in order to avoid looking suspicions.”

DJ Kadir.

"Personally, I wouldn’t encourage women to develop exaggerated muscles like men, but it is important for them to do simple exercises to keep their bodies in good shape.”

Eddie Nkurunkenzire, news anchor on RTV.

"Women should only be encouraged to do exercises to be fit, but they don’t need to develop biceps to look like men. Women are by nature supposed to be soft, but not hard.”

Alex Dusabe, Rwandan Gospel artist. 

"To me, it’s ok for women to build muscles, as long as they are passionate about it and are doing it as a profession. However, under normal circumstances, women are expected to be soft but fit.”

Colombe Ituze Ndutuye, Fashion Designer.

"No! There is no way I can encourage women to build muscles. Women are supposed to be soft and tender by nature, while men are supposed to be rough and tough. So, if women build muscles that means they will be more like men, than women.”

Moses Buzimana, Fashion Designer.

Ends