KIGALI - Ululations filled the air on Friday evening at Petit Stade in Remera as Rwandan women recognised President Paul Kagame for his role in the emancipation women, and awarded him a trophy.

The President who was accompanied by the First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, received the accolade at the event organised by the National Women’s Council to celebrate his victory during the August Presidential polls and to also recognise the role played by women.

Women representatives from all over the country filled the small stadium where they sang, danced and toasted to the long journey of Rwandan woman to arrive where they are today.

In his acceptance speech, President Kagame promised the women that "the journey has started and the best is yet to come”, adding that what is usually said about women rights and the role of women in building the country is never put into practice, but that Rwanda is one of the few countries that have managed to fully observe the rights of women.

Kagame added that looking at where the country is today and where it has come from, clearly shows the importance of attaching value to women because a lot that has happened in the country reflects the pivotal role women play in the development process.

Amidst cheers and ululations, Kagame promised the women that the next seven years will bring more change because the benefits of empowering a woman have just started.
He added that for the past years, efforts were invested in uplifting women, and that the numbers of empowered women were increasing at a fast rate..

Kagame added that Rwandan women have become decision makers, and that what Rwanda is focussing on are not just numbers of women, for example in parliament, but the number of quality women.

"People talk about stones, but when it is gold they are talking about, they add ‘precious stones’, so us, we are not just saying Rwandan women but quality Rwandan women,” Kagame said.

He pledged to join hands with women and men of Rwanda to work for the development, wellbeing, peace and stability of all Rwandans. 

The President called on women to work hard for the development and wellbeing of their country and families without "exchanging words” with critics, because at the end of the day, actions will speak for themselves in the name of peace, development, cleanliness, good governance and protect the country from whoever wants to disrupt that.

He urged the women to stand firm and defend the dignity of all Rwandans where all Rwandans will be proud to be who they her.

In her speech, NWC president, Dr. Diane Gashumba, thanked President Kagame for championing the cause to empower the Rwandan woman, describing him as "a hero” and "father” who rescued Rwandan women after many years of isolation and neglect by past regimes.

"For the role you have played in empowering us, women woke up early to support you during campaigns, and on voting day, we turned up in large numbers as promised,”
"In you, women who are here and others who are not here, see a hero, a special leader who got the Rwandan woman from the kitchen to classrooms, to decision making tables, to businesses,,” Gashumba said.

She pledged the support of Rwandan women to President Kagame for the next seven years to even set more milestones.

A play by women showing how the Rwanda woman has evolved over the years was staged while local artists also sang a song on Rwandan women composed for the day.

Ends