Rwandan women talking serious business

Gone are the days when women were only recognized as potential mothers and sidelined to kitchen chores. In the 21st century, women’s lifestyles have metamorphosed dramatically. The change is witnessed in education, the nature and roles of work and career prospects. The change has not been lost on Rwandans. They have been involved in all kinds of fields and are proving to be very agile in business as well. Through the Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs, Rwandan business women created the Annual Round table. Here, they meet to share challenges in business, create new ideas to overcome challenges in the business field and other related issues. The idea which started off locally has now taken on a regional dimension. In what was termed as an Eastern African Women Entrepreneurs Exchange and Networking Meeting (EAWEExN), Rwandan business women through the Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs under the private sector, managed to meet fellow business women from different countries. At this meeting the women shared with their counterparts challenges in business, ways of promoting competitiveness and productivity in female owned business, enhancing trade, investment, employment and market expansion. According to Theresa Bibonobono, Director Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs, business women in different countries are facing almost similar problems. She also says that the meeting was an appropriate measure for them to curb challenges in women business. Bibonobono explained that EAWEExN is designed to strengthen participation of women entrepreneurs in the region and enhance their leverage and opportunities in business. It will also be responsible for creating a platform for synergistic sharing and learning, advocate and advance policy frame work. It’s also expected to boost the role and contribution of women in their national economies and supporting of grass-root women in the business field. The Rwandan women entrepreneurs are not keeping out the youth as these are the future. Nicole Umutoni who represented the youth in the Kampala meet, raised the need for mentors in entrepreneurship. She described mentors as a combination of inspiration, sharing of ideas, business solutions, goal setting and accountability. Explaining further, Bibonobono said that each country will be having a core network team of five women, including one young female entrepreneur and two representatives from each country on a regional coordinating body which will be providing strategic directions. “Rwandan business women were represented by 16 members which was the highest number of representatives”, Janette Nkubana of Gahaya Links said. The meeting held in Kampala Serena Hotel on January 30 and 31 attracted representatives from Women entrepreneurs and Organizations from 7 countries namely Kenya, Burundi, Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda the host. With the Theme “Building synergistic networks for Business, Trade and Networking for growth” these kind of conferences should play a great role in raising Rwandan productivity. We should be seeing even more such initiatives being started in other areas. Already Rwandan women are pace setters and are now holding the world record for having the highest percentage of legislators. If emancipated economically, the Rwandan woman is surely set for even greater heights. Ends