“Women empowerment is still a priority for political parties sustainability” , said the NFPO Spokesperson

This was said on Saturday, May 22^nd, 2021 by a NFPO Spokesperson Hon. UWINGABE Solange through her opening remarks to 75 political party women wing leaders from the Western Province attending a two day workshop, held in Rubavu District.

She noted that capacity development as one of the NFPO mandates has since 2013, strategically focused on women in order to raise their awareness on roles to be played within their respective political party’s decision making organs.

Participants to this training were briefed on different development agenda including: Women political participation through Women can do it: Political will, drivers, triggers and actors, current status, challenges  by Hon. MUKASINE Marie Claire, Chair person of the National Commission for Human Rights;  and Women empowerment for transformational governance; by Hon. GAKUBA Jeanne d’Arc, former Senate Vice President.

Also participants were trained on gender policy: From victims to leading actors Rwanda’s gender dividend, Rwanda’s achievements in gender equality and women empowerment: Challenges and way forward by Gender Monitoring Deputy Chief Monitor Hon. MUKANDASIRA Caritas.

Women wing leaders participants to this workshop had also fruitful exchanges sharing experience and raising awareness on success, achievements and way forward, by a local women opinion leader, Hon. UWACU Julienne, former Minister of sports and culture, and recently, Director General of FARG; and Madam UWANKWERA Judith, a women business owner from Nyamasheke District. Later on, National Itorero Commissioner Mrs TUGIREYEZU Josée briefed them on leadership values required to a women leader.

Triple roles of a woman,

Participants to this workshop discussed on triple roles of a woman as a spouse, a mother and leader which are key in Rwandan transformational governance. On one hand women are at the forefront in family administration, children education and in transmission of positive values. On the other hand, Women are serving in communities in different ways and some of them   contribute in decision making organs being in local government, central government, parliament, civil society and private sector as implementers of national policies in governance, social and economic development.

After all presentations and workgroup discussions, participants gained skills in transformational leadership by understanding their triple roles and commitment to their political career development by playing a significant role in promotion of their fellow women within their respective political organizations.

They were also committed to become mentors and role models to their fellow women within the same political organization in order to ensure and sustain women achievements through different political agenda aiming at State welfare; and warned on their roles and responsibilities to promote their fellow women on country’s developmental;

Closing the workshop, the Executive Secretary of the National Consultative Forum of Political Organizations (NFPO) Mr GISAGARA Theoneste argued participants to use available opportunities and high level of political will from the State leadership to be part of their respective party leadership and contribute to its sustainable development.

He also exhorted them to play a significant role in leadership and operations of their respective political parties. Mr GISAGARA encouraged women wing leaders to play triple roles of women leaders by promoting leadership values to all political party leadership structures.

Finally, he appreciated the UNDP for providing funds to conduct the workshop through a joint partnership with the NFPO on Women political participation, empowerment and Political dialogue, a component of Deepening democracy for accountable Governance project (DDAG II).