Exemplary women rewarded in Musanze

Musanze—Seven women were this week recognized for their exemplary work within society. The top achievers were given a heifer each under the government program of one cow per family while 15 other women were awarded certificates of recognition for their activities. Among the achievers was Daphrosa Nyirabapagasi, who got a cash award of Rwf 200,000 from the Ministry of Gender and Family promotion for her hard work. In her testimony, Nyirabapagasi, noted that it was out of patience and tolerance that she managed to uplift her family from poverty. “My husband was an alcoholic who had objected to the idea of rearing a cow given to me by the government which incidentally I had to rear from the safety of a neighbour’s home,” she narrated. “When I decided to connect our home to electricity he initially objected, saying he would do it himself but with time he has managed to soften his stance by accepting my contribution of up- lifting our livelihood as a family.’’ She earns over Rwf150,000 per month from her milk production activities. Nyirabapagasi, challenged women to respect their husbands while seeking and building cooperation within families instead of confrontation. Gender balance should not be viewed as fighting against men, she counselled, but should be seen to be supporting one another. “We should show more respect to our husbands and desist from rushing to police every time there is a misunderstanding within our homes.’’ The district vice mayor Jerome Mugenzi, while presiding over the event, challenged women to be part of fighting poverty within society by championing self reliance through working hard. Ends