Women's Empowerment in Rwanda

This project aims to empower women and young girls in 3 particularly poor areas of Rwanda's Huye district namely Mbazi Ngoma and Mukura. It will address the basic priority needs identified by these women namely health and education and is intended to strengthen their ability to participate in the formal economy. It also aims to raise community awareness of women’s and children’s rights and the importance of gender equality. Project activities include: (1) providing financial and material support for healthcare for women and their children (girls and boys) in cooperation with the national insurance program; (2) providing training workshops on sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and young girls and boys; (3) providing training in cooperative management and entrepreneurship for women; and (4) carrying out activities to raise awareness about gender equality particularly gender based violence. The organizers of these activities are community ambassadors for women and men.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) improved access to health and education services for women and their children; (2) increased active participation by women in economic development within their communities; and (3) increase in practices for promoting and defending the rights of women and children in the community.