Editor, This letter is with reference to your story in The New Times, March, 8, titled “Women’s Day taken to the grassroots.”The Rwandan Government always lays great importance on women empowerment and chose the most appropriate national theme for this year’s International Women’s Day - “Empowering Women and Girls to Sustain Families.”It is also such an honour for the country to have the dynamic and charismatic Clare Akamanzi, Chief Operating Officer, Rwanda Development Board, nominated by the World Economic Forum as a Global Young Leader for 2012! This speaks volumes for the Government’s encouragement and support towards women. The family is the nucleus where our children and youth gain the important values of life and, without a doubt, women play a vital role in developing the young generation during their formative years.What is very interesting to note in your article is that the Hon. Minister of Gender and Family Protection, Aloisea Inyumba, has organised the ‘Women and Girls’ Month that is geared towards empowering women and girls to sustain families. Wishing Rwandan women many more successes in the coming years! Clarence Fernandes
