Many women’s rights to inherit property, especially in villages, are violated, a survey conducted by Pro-Femmes Twese Hamwe, an umbrella organisation of women NGOs in the country has shown.The survey, whose findings were released this week, was conducted between January and March this year. The findings indicated that women’s rights on property like land are abused in spite of laws to protect them being in place already. Speaking to The New Times, the Executive Secretary of Pro-Femmes Twese Hamwe, Emma Bugingo, said despite the government’s commitment to protect women’s rights, there is still need to educate women about them.“The laws are in place but most importantly is how they protect women or how informed women are about their rights,” Bugingo said.The Chairperson of Pro-Femmes Twese Hamwe, Jane Kanakuze, called on NGOs working towards protection of women’s rights to coordinate with each other to avoid duplication of services.“When we coordinate, we shall be able to identify who is taking up which responsibility, something that will also help us assess our achievements as a team,” Kanakuze said.The survey aimed at assessing ways in which women’s rights are violated.The exercise was conducted in partnership with various developing partners, including the Ministry of Gender. It is part of a regional survey spearheaded by Consultative Umbrella of Women Associations in the Great Lakes Region (COCAFEM/GL).The three month exercise has also been conducted in D.R. Congo and Burundi and according to Bugingo, findings from each country will be shared to collectively seek solutions.
