SOUTHERN PROVINCE HUYE— Researchers in different institutions of higher learning in Rwanda have been urged to be gender sensitive while conducting research. The remarks were made by officials from the Organisation for Social Sciences Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA).The officials were attending a workshop on gender main streaming at the National University of Rwanda (NUR) last Saturday. Prof Hakim Mturi from Australia, the director general of OSSREA, observed that gender remains key to development globally. Mturi noted that Rwanda has made a positive stride by having a big representation of women in parliament compared to other countries. “It is special in Rwanda that the great part of participants in this training are males, whereas in other countries gender issues are only left to females,” he said. Different participants at the workshop acknowledged the importance of integrating women in development. Callixte Kabera, the Rector of Rwanda Tourism University College, observed that most heads of institutions have failed to integrate gender in the management plan of their institutions. “We always ignored gender while making the budget or granting scholarships,” Kabera said, adding that after the training he realised it is relevant to be gender sensitive while planning. The training was attended by 15 males and 10 females who will train others. OSSERA has its headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ends
