COVID-19 adversely affected different activities including small businesses owned by women and girls, hence prompting UN Women to intervene with its support extended to beneficiaries countrywide to revive their activities and recover the economy mainly targeting female headed household, SGBV victims, teen mothers, domestic workers, and refugees among others who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 pandemic.
Beneficiaries have revealed that they were hit hard, stricken by poverty with little hope for tomorrow as the pandemic broke out.
The assessment conducted by UN Women, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion in 2020 to review effects of COVID-19, indicated that women are among unpaid workers seriously affected by the pandemic.
This prompted these organizations to extend support to these beneficiaries through capacity building to up-skill women and girls to recover from effects of the pandemic.
The project mainly targeted women headed households and vulnerable women and girls including GBV victims, teen mothers, domestic workers, refugees and other segments of the population affected by COVID-19.
A total of US$831,514 was allocated for the project funded by UNCHR and UN Women.
The eight-months project supported 1,774 poor women-headed households who were drastically affected by Covid-19 from 3 districts (Nyamasheke, Musanze and Nyagatare), 169 teen mothers and their families in Nyagatare, 50 SGBV victims received legal support, 41 former domestic workers increased their skills in entrepreneurship.
Beneficiaries have expressed delight to the great support extended to them.
“During COVID-19, we faced economic shortfalls that we could not even access capital to resume businesses. After benefiting from this project, I designed a project of making liquid soap. It has so far changed my livelihood status, thanks to received funding,” said Alphonsine Mumporeze.
According to Christine Mukarebura from Musanze District, the support came in handy to transform their lives.
“We hardly got food due to the pandemic’s related restrictions. Today, my life has changed for good that I have joined a saving group created to help women spur economic growth,” she said.
She added that each cooperative group member was receiving 1,100 Rwandan francs weekly but after the grant; the share increased to 22,000 Rwandan francs weekly. This enabled them to expand their small businesses.
The Acting Representative of UN Women in Rwanda, Emma Carine Uwantege has revealed that provided support hugely strengthened gender equality, highlighting that registered achievements are in line with the Government’s bold vision to empower women.
Josephine Ulimwengu, Strategic Planning and UN Resident Coordinator’s Office Team Leader has reiterated commitment to maintain efforts aimed at advancing Rwanda’s development.
“Our role is to continue supporting Rwanda to achieve sustainable development by consolidating gains through UN agencies in Rwanda that will play a big role to help vulnerable citizens benefit from development initiatives,” she noted.
Immaculée Umuhoza Mukarwego, Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA)’s Specialist for Minimum Package for Graduation has requested beneficiaries to strive for self-reliance as the project is wrapped up.
She assured continued support but urged them to take advantage of received funding to prosper.
UN Women also supported Rwanda Women Network to continue availing its hotline for SGBV cases asking for support, equipped 16 women’s safe spaces with an emergency support fund for SGBV victims. Through Legal Aid Forum, UN Women also supported SGBV cases, and 50 victims of violence were represented in court, facilitated with DNA test-search for paternity in 10 cases.
The implementation was spearheaded by different partners; the Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA), Faith Victory Association (FVA), AJIPRODHO-JIJUKA, Legal AID Forum(LAF), and Rwanda Women Network(RWN).
Leave a Reply