HUYE - Women in Huye District have been urged to use opportunities provided by the government to improve themselves.

The call was made during celebrations to mark the International Day of the Rural Women at the weekend by Marie Claire Uwumuremyi, the chairperson of the National Women Council (CNF) in the Southern Province.

Speaking in Tumba Sector, she advised women to approach financial institutions for loans to better their businesses. "For instance, women should take advantage of the Umurenge Saccos which can help them develop. If you are a farmer, for example, you can get loans through the cooperative which will enable you buy fertilisers,” she said.

The provincial Executive Secretary, Jeanne Izabiriza, advised the women to form cooperatives, saying it would enable them meet their goals.

 "For those women who have achieved a certain level of development, they should assist their colleagues so that they too can improve their lives,” she said.

Women who attended the celebrations said awareness of their rights had greatly improved in the rural areas, which has impacted positively on their socio-economic lives.

"Thanks to emancipation, women are no longer dependent on their husbands. We are now equally breadwinners to our families because we have been made aware that we too can make money,” said Clementine Uwimbabazi from Mukura Sector.

As part of the celebrations, 89 families formalised their marriages in a mass wedding in Tumba sector.

Some 20 poor families received goats to help them improve their welfare and another 20 received mattresses.

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