There’s more for Rwanda women to achieve dignity

Editor,This Government has persistently created a conducive environment for women to blossom and excel alongside their male counterparts. This is a far cry different from the backward state women were in before the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Women metamorphosed from just selling beer (most of the time to their own husbands) under the bed to chairing board meetings of big corporations.Women have achieved their dignity, and they are decision makers in public and private enterprises. Rwandan women are also regarded equal as their brothers when it comes to inheritance – which was kind of a taboo during the genocidal regimes. The success of women in Rwanda is definitely something to crow about.We all have to be delighted by their hard-earned achievements, but the journey is far from the final destination. I have recently read somewhere that 80% of women are responsible for the food we consume in Africa, yet women in Africa own less than 2% arable land. I think that being in the parliament, being a minister or the head of a government institution isn’t enough. Women should struggle to own as much land as possible.For those who have executive powers, we need you to exert your muscle and leave no stone unturned. We need women who will bring change wherever they are appointed and we need such change to bear visible fruits.One example is Marissa Mayer, the CEO of Yahoo Inc. When the woman took over at the company, it was a sailing on a burning boat. Marissa brought corporate strategies and rescued the company. You can’t talk about Yahoo without talking about Marissa Mayer. Rwanda is the first country in the whole world to have a high female percentage in parliament. But the question one would ask herself is: are those MPs doing everything to become role models to women? Are they maximising their numerical advantage to push for the interests of women in terms of legislation? With recent developments on maternity leave, I don’t think so. Something must change here in 2014.With the backing of Imbuto Foundation, women and girls are being encouraged to be different, to think differently, and to become role models in everything. This is the main reason why Imbuto Foundation is awarding young women achievers. By doing so, the Foundation is unearthing talents among women. What I can say is: do everything to shine because the First Lady is herself your role model. Being crowned a Miss isn’t an end in itself – do something to lay the foundation to support young girls to unveil the zeal that’s in them.We still have relatively few woman drivers, but we also witnessed the first Rwandan female pilot fly the national carrier in 2013. Esther Mbabazi showed women that there are no longer jobs exclusively for men. With this blockbuster achievement, I think that it’s time for women in Rwanda to realise that everything is achievable as long as one is fully determined.Happy Holidays to women of Rwanda!Mutara Intore, KigaliReaction to the story, “Top Rwandan women achievers in 2013” (Women Today, December 26)

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There’s more for Rwanda women to achieve dignity