EASTERN PROVINCE RWAMAGANA—Every Umudugudu (Lowest level of administration) throughout the Eastern Province is set to start an association aimed at eradicating domestic violence. This is one of the resolutions of the two day meeting that brought National Women Council representatives at all administrative levels in the Eastern Province. The meeting was held at AVEGA centre in Rwamagana from September 23-24. Odette Mukakirenga, in charge of education and training for Eastern Province National Women Council said the resolution was taken after women raised concern over the matter indicating that domestic violence was still at large in the province. “Some women are still ignorant about their rights. They are bitten every night by drunkard husbands but Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Gakwaya has taught us everything concerning domestic violence. He has given us telephone numbers which we should always call for assistance in case we meet domestic violence related cases,” Mukakirenga said. She added: “Women are determined to go back home and set up associations at every Umudugudu level aimed at fighting against domestic violence”. Jacqueline Kampire, Coordinator of women for Nyamata Sector, Bugesera district vowed to work closely with village women in order to wipe out domestic violence. Addressing the women during the closure of the meeting, the governor of the Eastern Province, Theoneste Mutsindashyaka warned men who still bit their wives. He said such men should be excommunicated from Rwandan community. Mutsindashyaka further enlightened women on how to become rich. He said every women representative should own a Friesian cow, open up a bank account and start saving. He urged them to specialize in crops that grow well in their area, but also to think of off farm activities. He told them to form cooperatives, to practice family planning and to save if they are to be rich. Other resolutions taken during the meeting include participating in the green revolution, to engage in family planning, to stop begging, to help one another and every woman to act as police watch dog of the community. Ends
