Rwandans in Belgium celebrate International Women’s Day

The day is usually celebrated on 8th March every year at the international level.
The event was organized by gender equality commission of Rwanda’s diaspora in Belgium in partnership with Rwanda’s embassy in the country.

The senior advisor to Rwanda’s ambassador in Belgium, Bosco Ntibitura told IGIHE that the event is ‘a platform fostering discussions on valuing the power and knowledge of women abroad’.

Present at the event was panelists including Marie Arena, Belgian native coordinating Women’s Rights and Gender Equality commission at European Union parliament.

“A lot needs to do here in Europe because areas where gender equality is not respected still exist,” she said.

Marie Pierre Nyatanyi who is among founders of a non-profit organization (Djaili Mbock asbl) based in Belgium and the writer of “Plurielles, Femmes de la diaspora africaine”; Dr Uwizeyimana Emeline, a researcher and writer of a book dubbed “Le micro-crédit à l’épreuve des inégalités de genre”; and Olivia Ingabire, a Belgium based entrepreneur exhibiting Made in Rwanda products were also among panelists.

Rwandans attending the event lauded President Paul Kagame for his role model with non-discriminatory leadership giving women representation in all government positions.

The celebration was characterized by traditional dances and sharing dinner.