March 8th, is an honour and celebration of women; who they are, and what they have become. I am called Cobra, (real name Eugene Habimana) a local entertainment mogul who believes International Women’s Day (IWD) is historic.

For some reason, women are not portrayed or considered as powerful as men, but we respect and adore them because women are the foundation of the family and heart of a nation.

Women are our mothers, sisters and daughters and that is why, we must respect and support them.

While various IWD activities and concerts will be held across Rwanda, I will give my wife and daughters extra special treatment. My son and I will take part in the kitchen and prepare their special meals, or take them out.

Whatever they need on this day, we will be at their service.

Every parent in the world dreams that their daughter will have a better life. Have good education, choose when and who to marry, if and when to have children.

My dream was to return to my motherland after spending several years in exile and I am now a happy man because most of my dreams have become a reality.

As a youngster, it really bothered me to be a refugee. You cannot be respected or be successful if you are a foreigner. And, it really hurts to know that it’s not easy to return to your country because of insecurities that make you spend most of your life in exile.

Rwanda is now a safe country, with good governance. Now, I do my businesses without any fear of insecurity. As a father of four daughters and a son, including twins (a boy and girl), I want my daughters to study, be self-empowered and become job creators instead of job-seekers.

Most importantly, I teach my daughters morals and discipline. I encourage them to embrace our culture and become good citizens by respecting the country’s laws and policies.

I urge all women to keep their pride and fight the traditional myth that women are only expected to do house chores and give birth, while men enjoy the political, social and economic seats.

Cobra is an artiste, music promoter and the proprietor of Cadillac Night Club and Mama Africa Restaurant in Kigali, Rwanda.

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