NORTHERN PROVINCE The Rwanda Association of Local Authorities-RALGA has urged local leaders to include women in decision making, especially at grass roots levels. The call was made during a strategic planning workshop on gender integration and mainstreaming in Musanze, on Tuesday. The workshop attracted all vice Mayors, members of the National Women Council, and youth councils of the Northern Province. The local authorities agreed to reinforce the role of men, in promoting gender equality and family planning through mass sensitisation. As an umbrella association, RALGA helps local authorities to assess the impact of all the initiatives and the contribution of other partners in promoting gender mainstreaming. Josephine Uwimana, one of the participants said local authorities should solicit for funding that will enable women to further their education especially at university level. Ildephonse Niyonsenga, the deputy speaker of the Kigali City, noted the need to change the attitude of men towards gender equality; noting that most people still confuse gender equality to mean women over powering men. He urged men to understand that they also benefit from gender equality especially in development. “To have equitable development devoid of inequalities, gender balance should be put into practice not to remain in words,’’ he said. In a joint resolution, the members asked districts to allocate money to the Women and Youth Councils in their budgets- in order to promote gender activism. Ends
