There is still more to do on women emancipation

Editor, Reference is made to the letter, “Emancipation: What is the fate of Rwandan men?” (The New Times, June 9). As a man, Michael Rwiyamilira should have no worries that the hypothetical situation he depicts of a woman-dominated Rwanda will come to pass in his and my life times, let alone by 2020. Yes, women have made some modest inroads in a few areas that were formerly male-dominated, including the legislature, the judiciary and in other government institutions. But note how these advances are almost entirely in areas within government control or influence. These are a minute slice of Rwandan life. In the remaining domains of our society, women remain very much at the bottom of the heap in a still male-dominated culture or patriarchy: in business, at home, in language, in places of worship, in the military, police and other security forces, male representation remains dominant. Do not be misled by the few women in prominent positions to extrapolate the situation to the rest of society. More radical efforts are required to balance the situation and ensure a truly egalitarian Rwandan society. We can’t begin thinking that it is time to rest on our laurels. As a man fully committed to equality of opportunities for all Rwandans, I say, we need more efforts to balance the historical injustice done to our mothers, sisters and daughters, not less. We have taken some commendable steps in that direction. But they are certainly far from sufficient; more can be done. More must be done. Mwene Kalinda, Rwanda

Opinions

There is still more to do on women emancipation