Women urged to vie for office

Women leaders in Kigali City have been urged to participate in the forthcoming local leaders’ elections. The call was made, yesterday, by the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Jeanne d’ Arc Mujawamariya, during a general assembly that brought together members of the National Women Council of Kigali City. After acknowledging their role in the development of the country, over the last seven years, the Minister urged them to uphold good deeds because the country still needs them. “You are well aware that we have set our targets high, but we have to make sure that we achieve them, whatever the case,” Mujawamariya said. She also urged the outgoing women leaders to always help their successors in accomplishing unfinished business, and for those who still have the drive, she encouraged them to stand for re-election. Elections for the local leaders will begin on February 4, where they will be voted right from the cell level (akagari) up to the district level. There should be a minimum of 30 percent representation of women in all levels as stipulated in the constitution. During the general assembly, women leaders from the three districts that make up Kigali City presented what they have achieved in the last seven years. They cited the sensitization of women to join communal health insurance, using family planning methods, taking children to school and urging women to set up income generating projects. In her address, MP Yvonne Uwayiseng, hailed the women for their unwavering efforts to promote women emancipation and development. “You are heroes because where Rwanda has reached as far as development is concerned, you have been at the helm of it,” she said. Certificates of appreciation were also given out to women representatives from all the sectors of Kigali City for their untiring efforts. Ends