Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Uwimana Consolée has praised rural women for their contribution to family welfare and national development, urging them to continue working together, saving money and acquiring skills to improve their livelihoods.
She delivered the message on Thursday, October 15, 2026, while joining residents of Mudende Sector in Rubavu District to celebrate International Day of Rural Women.
The day was marked across the country under the theme: “The role of rural women in decision-making: a foundation for sustainable change.” During the celebrations, women highlighted progress in building self-confidence, improving their livelihoods and participating in decision-making.
Minister Uwimana also urged men to continue supporting women and working alongside them to build secure families in which everyone contributes to household development.
Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Uwimana Consolée praised rural women for their contribution to family welfare.
Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Uwineza Beline also joined residents of Bugesera District in marking the day. She commended women for their contribution to the development of their families and the country, stressing the need for continued support through policies and laws that create opportunities for them to improve their livelihoods.
Household survey data show that poverty among female-headed households declined from 39% in 2018 to 30% in 2025.
Uwineza said rural women needed greater access to opportunities that would strengthen their capacity, particularly in agriculture and efforts to address climate change.
“For rural women to make further progress, we must continue connecting them with opportunities that help them advance. We must also strengthen efforts to help them use technology and modern knowledge, particularly in agriculture and adapting to climate change, because these issues affect them more than others,” she said.
Deputy Speaker Uwineza Beline commended women for their contribution to family and national development.
Women who attended the celebrations thanked the Rwandan government, led by President Paul Kagame, saying it had helped them gain a stronger voice and play a greater role in national development compared with the past, when they had fewer rights and opportunities.
Nyirangirababyeyi Floride, a resident of Bugesera District, told RBA that women had previously faced abuse, been denied property rights and lacked access to education, with some instead being assigned cattle-herding duties. She welcomed the changes that have given women greater rights and opportunities to improve their lives.
“Since we came under the leadership of the Government of Rwanda, our father, President Kagame, has restored the voice we had lost and returned the dignity that had been taken away from us,” she said.
Mutumwinka Emelithe, president of the National Women’s Council in Bugesera District, pledged that they would continue supporting rural women’s development so they could play an even greater role in advancing their families and the country.
