RWANDA: Women Organisation to Expand After Winning International Award

After winning an International Award, Reseau des Femmes, a Women organisation, has finalised plans to expand its reach, with focus on rural women and economic empowerement, set to become a priority.

Beata Busasa, the association's national coordinator, revealed this, on Friday, during a ceremony to celebrate the award won in September.

The organisation, was among the 44 organisations selected worldwide for this year's International Star Award for Quality, awarded by a Swiss-based Business Initiative Directions (BID).

At the event, Busasa reiterated the commitment for the Network to promoting financial independence among rural women while ensuring that gender based violence is stemmed.

"We will work more closely with rural women as one of the best strategies to reinforce their capacity," she said, commending government for ensuring that more women are included in various decision making bodies.

Speaking as chief guest, the Minister of Sports and Culture, Joseph Habineza stressed the importance of involving women in the development process of the country.

"Educating a woman is educating a whole nation," he noted.

He congratulated the association for the achievement, saying it was recognition of their efforts, adding that the award should act as an inspiration to achieve more.

He also used the occasion to urge parents to ensure proper upbringing of children, including inculcating Rwandan culture among them.

Donatha Mukanyarwaya from Rulindo District testified how she had been uplifted by the Women's Network for Rural Development, after being facilitated to engage in a goat rearing project.

She urged fellow women to reduce financial dependence on their husbands as a way of minimizing domestic violence.

Meanwhile, Busasa disclosed that the Network is also a beneficially of this year's international Platinum Technology Award for Quality.

The award, to be received on December 20 in Geneva Switzerland will be offered by a Paris based organization, Other ways Management Association Club.

The award was created in Europe to recognize firms which have distinguished themselves in the field of quality and excellence.