Rwanda: Campaign Against Gender Violence

November 29,2007 - (The New Times) In celebration of the International 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, sixty five women from across the country are currently on a two-day tour of development activities in the city.

The operation is an annual international campaign originating from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women's Global Leadership. It began in 1991.

"We selected two women from each of the thirty districts of the country and five from Kigali City to come and learn by touring various projects," MP Alphonsine Mukarugema, said yesterday at Gahaya Links training centre in Kigali.

The celebrations were organised by the Forum for Women Parliamentarians and the National Women's Council.

At the handcrafts centre, the women inspected several locally made products like woven baskets commonly known as 'Uduseke'.They later visited Karuruma mushroom.

Mukarugema said that before their departure on Friday, the women would be sensitised on their roles in development.

"We thought it was pertinent that they come to discuss their problems and also learn from their colleagues here on how this has helped improve their livelihoods," she said.

The theme for this year's campaign is 'Demanding Implementation, Challenging Obstacles: End Violence Against Women'
Janet Nkubana, the Managing Director of Gahaya Links, urged the women to be visionary and embrace income-generating activities. "Women in several districts like Ruhango make Frw3 million per week from basket weaving.

They are not different from you, it's a matter of hard work and you will get there,"

The 16 Days Campaign seeks to help dismantle obstacles and overcome challenges posed by social attitudes and policies that continue to condone and perpetuate gender based violence.

From:http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200711290031.html