Women, particularly those living in rural areas, should endeavour to exploit all available opportunities to improve their welfare and contribute significantly to the country’s socio-economic development, the Minister for Gender and Family Promotion, Odda Gasinzigwa, has said.Gasinzigwa was speaking on Saturday in Nyanza District during the celebrations to mark International Day for Rural Women. The day is marked on October 15 but was stayed for two weeks to coincide with the monthly community work (Umuganda). Gasinzigwa said a lot has been done to help and empower women uplift themselves from poverty. She urged women to exploit available opportunities to pull their families out of poverty and participate in the development of the country."You should relentlessly continue to maximise available opportunities to better your lives,” Gasinzigwa said. "We have been given unmatched chances we should use to improve the welfare of our families and contribute to nation building.” During Umuganda, officials joined residents in constructing kitchen gardens and planted fruits, among other activities. Earlier on Friday evening, authorities joined residents to set up committees for the Parents’ Evening programme, locally known as Umugoroba w’Ababyeyi. Under the initiative, parents meet regularly to discuss developmental policies and social issues, including gender equality, gender-based and domestic violence, hygiene and sanitation, nutrition, and family planning. They also share skills and best practices on a range of topics and chart ways of solving challenges affecting them to improve welfare and speed up development.The International Day of Rural Women is seen as an opportunity to recognise the critical role and contribution of rural women in enhancing agriculture as a pillar of rural development, improving food security and eradicating poverty.The day was celebrated under the theme, "Rwandan woman: uphold your dignity by striving to attain development.”                         ActionAid Rwanda donated 75 Friesian cows to vulnerable women drawn from different parts of Nyanza District. Seventy-five more cows will be donated to vulnerable women in Gisagara District, according to Josephine Uwamariya, the Actionaid country representativeUwamariya said the donation is part of efforts to uplift livelihood of rural women and pledged continued support.The vice president of the National Women Council, Marie Rose Uwineza Ndejeje, said women had gone a long way in improving their social status despite some challenges that still remain."A lot is being done to ensure that poverty, illiteracy, gender-based and domestic violence as well as limited financial capacities are resolved,” she said, citing policies and programmes which, she said, encourage women’s development.Ndejeje said women continue to register significant achievements that benefit the entire Rwandan community, adding that they have also strengthened their presence in decision-making positions and are successful in businesses, among others. Anathalie Mukamana, a widow who was recognised for transforming her life, attributed her achievements to ‘favourable policies and an environment of trust.”