The congress reflected on the women who, two decades ago participated in many ways to liberate Rwanda
The extraordinary congress of Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) women league wants government to set strategies that promote and nurture parents that balance both family and professional responsibilities.
This was said during today’s extraordinary women league organized as part of the celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of RPF Inkotanyi held at party’s headquarters in Rusororo, Gasabo district. It was attended by delegates representing women at all levels from grassroots to national level.
The congress reflected on the women who, two decades ago participated in many ways to liberate Rwanda. Commissioner Odda Gasinzigwa took the attendees on a long story of liberation history and reminded them on how many women put their lives on the line to join the struggle.
Others that were not on the battlefield contributed by mobilizing funds and fighters, taking care of children whose fathers were at war frontline, or serving as medical personnel like nurses or caretakers as fighters needed morale to sustain the struggle.
Gasinzigwa who is now member of the East African Legislative Assembly(EALA) said, “I remember many grandmothers that were weaving baskets and sold them to raise small contributions. I also remember many women that let their husbands go to fighting or encouraged their children to join the struggle. All of them contributed a lot to the liberation and we’re now enjoying benefits.”
Many other panelists spoke well of the contributors to liberation and thanked them for a now peaceful and prosperous country. They also celebrated women that have contributed to the socio-economic development of Rwanda during the 30 years of FPR –Inkotanyi.
They insisted Rwanda now needs women committed to raise children; well educated, with Rwandan values.
Women in leadership positions were asked to look and adopt strategies that promote and nurture strong families with parents that balance family and professional responsibilities in order to spare time for family empowerment and raising children with integrity.
First Lady of Rwanda Mrs. Jeannette Kagame addressing the congress
Speaking at the congress, the First Lady of Rwanda Mrs. Jeannette Kagame encouraged women party members to continue the struggle but in the modern way.
“Let’s not shy away from participating in development of our country. The founding members of RPF and all that joined have liberated us from bad regimes that had taken Rwandans hostage. We can now explore and contribute to development of our country. Lets seize the opportunities and prosper,” she said.
“The only way we can honour these courageous women that contributed in different ways to liberate us, is to be good mothers, good women, good contributors to the development by working well in different sectors and also being mothers and women deserving of respect,” The First Lady said.
The First Lady also called women to join the government to raise employable workforce as the country still lacks trained workforce in; agriculture, infrastructure, garment, tourism, transport, milk processing and others.
“Rwanda cannot develop if 52% of her children are not participating enough in all sectors of life. Let’s work for the better implementation of RPF manifesto towards 2024,” she told the congress.
The congress was attended by delegates from all levels of women wing across Rwanda.
It was also attended by women representing other political parties and a delegation from ruling parties in Angola, Ethiopia, Namibia, Tanzania and South Sudan.
