GAKENKE - Members of the National Women Council-CNF, in Gakenke district ended their annual congress, on Thursday, with a resolution to mobilise all women to participate in preparations for Monday’s presidential elections.

The meeting, which drew participants from all sectors of the district, was meant to assess the women’s strides in transforming their socio-economic status.

In a joint resolution, the chairperson of CNF, Theresa Nyirangwabije, noted that women leaders at the grassroots levels have drastically reduced gender based violence in families and helped women access loans through cooperatives.

The participants reaffirmed their commitment to stem gender based violence and vowed to uphold the rights of women within society.

"Women tend to be the worst victims of any form of violence; we should vote for development, peace and justice which the government has always championed,” Nyirangwabije campaigned.

The district Mayor, Pierre Damien Hakizayezu, challenged participants to stick to ways of uplifting the welfare of families.

"Women are known to be the primary change agents within the family units. We therefore count on participants to be at the forefront of ensuring changes needed that will positively impact on the lives of children,” Hakizayezu said.

Several women joyfully hailed the government’s poverty eradication program of Ubudehe and cooperatives as having some of the biggest impact on rural livelihoods.

During the meeting, AFERU Cooperative in Rushashi, was cited as among some of the successful cooperatives with an accumulated capital of Rwf24million.

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