Ingabire crowned Miss Gender 2013

For the first time, Miss Gender has been crowned in Rwanda.Jacqueline Ingabire, a second year engineering student from Umutara Polytechnic, donned the coveted tiara Saturday night. Ingabire’s eyes turned teary as the organisers placed the crown on her head during a glamorous event held at the Petit Stade in Remera. What an honour! Tonight is a dream come true. Thank you everyone for your support. I did it, the joyful Ingabire said.“This was my first time to participate in a beauty contest. I joined the competition because I had always wanted to participate in activities that promote gender and justice in schools as well as in Rwanda,” she noted.Ingabire beat 14 other contestants. Minerve Dukunde from Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and Claire Kanyange of Tumba College of Technology came in as first and second runners-up, respectively.The 23-year-old beauty queen walked away with various prizes, including Rwf5 million courtesy of Business Development Fund and beauty products for a period of one year, courtesy of Sulfo Rwanda. Ingabire promised to work with government and private institutions to promote gender as well as higher learning institutions through gender clubs, among other initiatives. “We found out that all contestants were good but there are those who were far better than others,” said Rica Rwigamba, one of the judges, after announcing the first and second runners-up.The day was spiced up by various performances by local musicians, such as Kitoko. The Deputy Governor of National Bank of Rwanda Monique Nsanzabaganwa was the chief guest at the Miss Gender event.In her remarks, Nsanzabaganwa said the initiative of Miss Gender will empower young girls and women to freely express their concerns and to exercise their rights.The event was organised by Ikaze Arts Agency in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and ICT, National Women Council and the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion. It was celebrated under the theme: Promoting gender and women empowerment. Miss Gender will act as a key figure in promoting gender not only in high institutions of learning but also spearhead activities that promote gender in the community through educative programmes.The beauty pageant attracted students from various universities around the country. The competition was judged in three categories: casual wear, traditional wear, evening gown and interviews.The event started at 8:00p.m and ended at midnight.

Leisure

Ingabire crowned Miss Gender 2013