There has been a long-held belief in our societies that power and leadership belongs to men. In recent years though, there has been a shift in thinking, with men being more than willing to rally behind more qualified and deserving women vying for leadership positions. Evidence of this new phenomenon is the rise of women to the presidency in Liberia, Malawi and Brazil; as well as to the top leadership of global finance institutions.
“I don’t want to report him to the police,” mumbles Nikuze as she sits down, bleeding in the mouth where two teeth have been knocked out by her husband.
While the entire world will celebrate Women’s Day next Thursday, in Rwanda it will mark the start of a month-long campaign to promote women’s emancipation.
The role of men and women is always a sensitive subject, but when it is put in the context of marriage and household duties, it becomes a real hot potato, especially in African societies where women’s emancipation is a relatively recent phenomenon.
Modern urban life is relatively easy, thanks to access to water, electricity, education, health and communication facilities like telephones and internet. However, all these come with their immense pressures, especially for a family woman who has to juggle work and domestic affairs.
IREX works with youth groups such as Ndangamuco Imanzi Cooperative in Bugesera district in addressing violent trends that might be a threat to peace but also to build reconciliation among community members.
The number of women dying while giving birth has been greatly reduced in Rwanda, mostly thanks to the increased number of women giving birth in a health-care facility attended by a qualified health care professional.
Ange Umutoni, a 29-year old housewife, says that her women friends say she is too tiny for a married woman and above all, a mother of two. “They are always telling me to gain weight for me to be a respectable wife and mother,” she said.
Originally, Henriette Umulisa hated politics as a nasty game as well as its players, the politicians.
Despite the current economic downturn, the United States of America remains the most sought after country and dubbed the “land of opportunities!” Africans, Asians and others yearn to enter ‘Uncle Sam’s Land’ to pursue what they call “the American dream.”
