Zero tolerance towards poverty?

EASTERN PROVINCE RWAMAGANA—Governor of Eastern Province Theoneste Mutsindashyaka has given a strong two-month ultimatum to the vice-mayors in charge of social affairs to end poverty amongst women in the province or risk losing their jobs. The governor gave the ultimatum at the women’s AVEGA centre in Rwamagana this week, while presiding over the closure of two-day meeting bringing together the National Women Council representatives and administrators of Eastern Province. “Women representatives must get rich in order to teach fellow women from experience”, Mutsindashyaka said. “Teach these women how to make projects and accompany them to get money from the bank to start business.” He warned vice mayors, saying they should not simply sit in office but to always travel deep in villages and teach women how to get out of poverty. “I am giving you two months. I want to see a change. I want to meet these women when they are rich.” The governor reminded women of the available funds in banks they could borrow to finance their projects. He ordered vice mayors to put together a team of people who could design projects at each district level and assist women in designing development projects. Women were also tipped on the government’s One Cow-One Family programme, saying that every women representative should own a Friesian cow. “When they own a cow they can enlighten others on the benefits of owning cow,” he said. Women were urged to open bank account and begin saving as one way towards getting rich. He reminded them to specialize in crops that grew well in their area, but also to think of off-farm activities. Ends