Karongi celebrates rural women’s day with cows and marriage blessings

In Murundi Sector, Karongi District, the International Day of Rural Women, which is celebrated every year on October 15, 2025, was marked.

Mrs. Associate Professor Jeanne N. Kagwiza, the Director of ActionAid and one of Karongi District’s partners who strongly advocates for the rights of women and children, expressed her satisfaction with the progress made by rural women.

She said:
“In the past, women were excluded from various programs and had no say in matters that concerned them, always depending on their husbands. However, this has changed — today, women have become active workers who have lifted themselves out of poverty and reached visible levels of development. They have achieved this by daring to approach financial institutions for loans, which they invest in income-generating activities that improve their livelihoods.”

She also mentioned some remaining challenges faced by rural women, saying:

“There are still domestic tasks that are undervalued, subsistence farming that is not market-oriented, and other related issues — but these too are gradually being addressed.”

Kankindi Alphonsine, who gave testimony about her personal development journey, said:

“The local leadership encouraged us to apply for loans from financial institutions through the VUP program. I requested a loan of one hundred thousand francs, which I used to buy a pig. I raised it and got manure, which helped me increase crop productivity. The profits I earned helped me solve several family problems, including paying school fees and buying materials for my child, who has now completed university with a bachelor’s degree. I have since fully repaid the loan, took another one, and continue to repay on time. I’m now living well without any problem — I even managed to bring electricity into my home; now I just press the switch and the light comes on.”

Vice Mayor in charge of social affairs, Mrs  Umuhoza Pascasie emphasized that development cannot be achieved without women’s active participation. She praised rural women for their hard work in promoting family welfare and national growth through agriculture, livestock, and other initiatives.

She highlighted the year’s theme, “A Woman of Value,” calling it a reminder to recognize women’s essential role in social and economic development.

She thanked ActionAid and Food for the Hungry for supporting programs that empower rural women by building their capacity, expanding access to finance, and encouraging leadership participation.

She urged women to keep working hard, use available opportunities in farming, savings, and partnerships with financial institutions, and overcome barriers such as poverty and gender bias.

She concluded by appreciating all outstanding women, families, and CNF members for their role in advancing Karongi’s development and wished everyone a happy celebration.

Uwambajemariya Florence, the Executive Secretary of the Western Province and the guest of honor at the event, thanked all partners who contributed to the successful organization of the celebration. She said that the event demonstrates how much attention is being given to women, especially those in rural areas.

She added:

In Rwanda, the International Day of Rural Women started being celebrated in 1997, and this year marks the 28th edition. In the past, women lived in poverty, lacked education, self-confidence, and legal protection. Today, we celebrate the great strides women have made through different development programs initiated by the government — such as VUP, Ejo Heza, community-based health insurance, and access to loans from financial institutions, among others — all of which aim to improve women’s welfare.”

 

She called upon women to continue making the most of these opportunities while avoiding family conflicts and all forms of gender-based violence.

As part of the celebration, 10 cows were donated to selected vulnerable families, helping to improve their nutrition and household income, 21 couples, mostly elderly people who had been living together informally, officially legalized their marriages.

Gashonga Jean Claude