STORY: Progress in gender equality advances growth, stability in Rwanda
DATELINE: Aug. 1, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:48
LOCATION: Kigali
CATEGORY: SOCIETY
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of Kigali and local women
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SILAS NGAYABOSHYA, Director general of Gender Promotion and Women Empowerment at the Rwandan Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Kinyarwanda): APOLLINAIRE MUGIRANEZA, Business woman
 
STORYLINE:
 
A Rwandan senior official has said Rwanda has made remarkable development strides in the past three decades with a strong focus on gender equality and women's empowerment, which has stimulated economic growth and boosted private and public sector performance.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SILAS NGAYABOSHYA, Director general of Gender Promotion and Women Empowerment at Rwandan Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion
"We have had even a progressed constitution that specifically made clear at least 30 percent of seats or positions in different institutions should belong to women, and this has of course culminated to our parliament being leading in the world as far as the number of women in the parliament is concerned."
 
Highlighting the nation's efforts in promoting gender equality, Ngayaboshya told Xinhua in a recent interview that the country's constitution specifically mandates that at least 30 percent of seats in various government institutions be occupied by women, which makes it one of the countries in the world with the highest representation of women in state agencies.
 
Several institutions in Rwanda have been created to support gender equality efforts, including the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, the National Women's Council, the Gender Monitoring Office and the Rwanda Women Parliamentary Forum. Gender considerations have also been integrated into various policies initiated by different ministries, ensuring that sectors like agriculture, farming and education address gender-specific needs and challenges.
 
Ngayaboshya said, nevertheless, Rwanda faces challenges in addressing deeply entrenched negative social norms related to gender, which require substantial efforts and investments for transformative change.
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (Kinyarwanda): APOLLINAIRE MUGIRANEZA, Business woman
"Personally, the principle of gender equality is progressing well because we all have different perspectives, but those who comprehend its significance realize that it's an accomplishment that deserves respect. Equality is thriving within homes, where no one is considered superior to another.
Now, women are working and looking for something that will improve their life and give them the ability to leave the house to support their husbands, instead of waiting for their husband to give them shopping money. Women are now looking for opportunities that can support their self-improvement. Now, a woman can ride a bicycle, a motorbike or drive a car. No one knew that a woman could drive a bus, but now women are driving confidently and competently."
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kigali.
(XHTV)