Women in leadership positions should fulfil their duties effectively and inspire others, Consolee Uwimana, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF), noted as over 300 women leaders from across the country gathered in Muhanga District on Friday, September 28. This was during the third general meeting of women in the country. Uwimana said, Some women fear leadership, thinking it’s not for them. But if those currently in leadership perform well, it will show other women that leadership is possible for them too, encouraging more women to step up. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s female majority Senate reflects ‘growing trust’ in women leadership Uwimana noted the progress women have made in various fields. Women entered the scene later than men, but we have made great progress considering where we started. It’s a big step forward, she said. She discussed the job creation goals under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), saying, NST2 requires us to create jobs, and we are confident that women will secure these opportunities. What’s most important is that we have educated women who know they need to compete. In the next five years, we believe many more women will be employed. Another issue discussed was ongoing challenges in ensuring the security and development of families, with gaps still evident in these areas. Uwimana emphasised that a strong family is built on several pillars, economic stability, good health, and effective leadership. A good family should be able to meet the needs of its members and still have enough to contribute to the market whether they are farmers or professionals saving from their work, she explained. ALSO READ: “Building strong Rwandan families”- New Gender Minister Uwimana outlines priorities She stressed the importance of access to basic needs such as health insurance and education. A family should live a good life, have access to Mutuelle de Santé, eat healthy, and ensure that students go to school without issues. We also want families to stay informed about the government's plans, align with these initiatives, and become families that truly understand their role in society, she said. Claudine Nibarere, the leader of Karubanda cell in Kamonyi District, spoke about the challenge many women face when considering leadership positions, noting that self-doubt often holds them back. One of the challenges is that some women lack confidence and hesitate to pursue leadership roles. But when you stop doubting yourself and start believing in your potential, you can take on those positions, she said. She emphasised the importance of participation in community meetings as a starting point for overcoming fear. We hold meetings, but often you find that young people, especially future leaders, do not attend. These meetings are where one begins to build confidence. Without attending or competing for the available positions, they miss the chance to step into leadership, she said. However, Nibarere expressed optimism about the future, adding, With continued support and collaboration, when we approach them, they come slowly, but surely. There is hope that the number of women in leadership will grow. Marie Solange Kayisire, the Minister of State for Local Government, noted the persistent gap in gender equality in leadership positions, with fewer women stepping into such roles. The numbers show that we still have a low representation of women in leadership, and we continue to face challenges in achieving gender equality between men and women, she said. Kayisire emphasised the importance of empowering women to overcome fear and compete for leadership positions. Our responsibility is to ensure that women don't feel afraid to pursue these roles. They need to have hope, step into these jobs, and perform well. We want to see women's roles become bigger and more noticeable. This requires us to show our abilities and prove that we are capable, she added. We must continue motivating the younger generation to set an example so they can seamlessly transition into the job market.”
