Women constitute the majority of Rwandan Population but they face a number of barriers that range from lack of a voice in the decision-making processes, limited leadership opportunities, cultural exclusion, and interfamilial conflicts. Despite this, the Government of Rwanda continues to express a greater commitment to providing women with opportunities and empowerment across different sectors, but also to recognize their rights and values, which greatly contributes to the realization of gender equality.
It is against this backdrop that on June 28th, 2019, Never Again Rwanda, in partnership with the southern province and other partners co-organized the ‘Annual Congress of the Members of the National Women’s Council (CNF)’. Around 190 women from all districts of the southern province gathered. The annual women congress aimed to shed light on crosscutting issues centered on the role of women in the fight against interfamily conflicts.
On behalf of all the partners, the Deputy Executive Director at Never Again Rwanda, Eric Mahoro pointed out that, “Civil society partners and the Rwandan Government need to build a strong collaboration with shared responsibilities and commitment towards good governance which is responsive to citizen’s needs”.
In his opening address, the governor of southern province, Emmanuel Gasana, urged women to take charge and fulfill their responsibilities in Rwanda’s social transformation by participating in finding solutions to interfamily conflicts and by raising their voices in the political decision-making processes.
He emphasized that, “When you want to be a responsible leader, you need to be dedicated and work hard to find solutions. In Rwanda’s rapid social transformation, we all need to ramp up our efforts in tackling issues affecting families and the country at large”.
The dialogue also featured a panel of various experts discussing the role of women in tackling issues facing families. Experts from Never Again Rwanda also delivered presentations on the role of citizens in the political decision-making process, the impact of trauma especially on women, and female participation in the fight against family conflicts.