Self-reliance tops promises of Kigali women MP candidates

Women vying to represent the City of Kigali in Parliament have pledged to prioritise women interests and promote self-reliance efforts among the women. Emerthe Kabatesi, Felister Mukarukiza, Yvonne Uwayisenga, Jeannine Mukamugema and Rose Mukantabana were campaigning yesterday at Kabuye, in Gasabo District.The atmosphere at Harmon Palace Hotel was filled with singing and dancing as each of the five candidates appealed to the electoral college in five minutes. The aspirants encountered a receptive audience that saw the voters turn to chanting slogans rather that ask questions. Only two of the candidates will be elected to represent the City of Kigali in the Chamber of Deputies. But all the five candidates appeared relaxed during the campaigns. Mukarukiza said once elected, she will have the general interests of women at heart and she will not fail them. She said she will work to improve their livelihood, especially through education programmes to curb illiteracy, as well as focus on gender equality and development in all her parliamentary duties. Kabatesi said she will strive to ensure that women also acquire appropriate technical and vocational skills to be self-reliant. “Illiteracy will have to be eliminated from our society, in general, and especially among the Rwandan women folks, through adult education schools at the cell level,” Kabatesi said.Former Speaker Mukantabana said she will continue helping pass laws that fast track the country’s development, as well as advocate for her constituency. “I will diligently look into all problems that affect you, this will include, reviewing the laws whenever necessary, and based on the views of the Rwandan women affected by such laws,” she said. On her part, Mukamugema vowed to prop up development of the family unit through teamwork.She said: “I will ensure that pro-people laws are enacted, ensure that the national budget is gender responsive and, strive to have improve and promote maternal and infant health, family planning. I will also work to ensure that mothers deliver from health centres.” Uwayisenga, a former deputy speaker, said she would seek to take Rwandans’ unity and reconciliation to another level. “I will also work harder to advocate and campaign for gender equality for sustainable development of our nation,” she said. Last week, the five candidates campaigned at the Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC-Kigali), previously Eto-Kicukiro, the Kigali Institute of Management, as well as Kabuga, Ndera, and Bumbogo. They will take their bid to Gikondo on Friday.

National

Self-reliance tops promises of Kigali women MP candidates