Amb Chinwe Lilian, the Convener of the Visionary African Women Summit, in a statement to the press, emphasized the summit’s role as a “dynamic platform for African women.”
It is designed to allow participants to engage in meaningful dialogue, share experiences, and develop strategies to tackle the continent’s most pressing issues. Lilian articulated the summit’s mission, stating, “Our mission goes beyond empowering women; it’s about creating a sustainable future for Africa through education, advocacy, and the promotion of peace.”
Since its inception in 2019, the summit, headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria, has made remarkable progress in advancing its vision. It focuses on ensuring women attain leadership positions and contribute significantly to national development. This year’s event boasts a rich lineup of speakers, including top government officials, first ladies from across Africa, distinguished business leaders, and celebrated entertainers. They will share insights and forge pathways towards sustainable development and peace across the continent.
The Kigali Serena Hotel, renowned for its elegance and exceptional service, provides the perfect backdrop for the summit’s sessions and networking events. Prospective participants are encouraged to register early to enjoy the incentives offered on the official summit website, www.visionaryafricanwomen.org.
With its comprehensive focus on empowerment, advocacy, and development, the Visionary African Women Summit 2024 is set to leave an indelible mark on the lives of African women and the continent’s future trajectory.
In a statement, the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management announced that 92 asylum seekers are from Libya, 57 are from Eritrea, and 35 originate from Sudan.
The evacuation of these immigrants was carried out in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
“Today, in collaboration with UNHCR, Rwanda welcomed 92 asylum seekers from Libya, along with 57 from Eritrea and 35 from Sudan, through the Emergency Transit Mechanism,” the ministry wrote on X.
Since 2019, the UNHCR has evacuated 2,242 people, with over 1,600 successfully resettled in third countries.
More immigrants are expected to settle in Rwanda in the coming years following the country’s agreement to accept persons denied entry into the United Kingdom.
Rwanda and the UK signed the Migration and Economic Development Partnership in April 2022.
During the signing of the deal, the two partners did not disclose the actual numbers of asylum seekers to be relocated, but officials suggested that any male migrant caught trying to enter UK territory illegally by boat or hiding in vehicles would be sent to Rwanda.
In March 2024, UK authorities announced that the government would offer failed asylum seekers up to £3,000 (Rwf4,866,727) to move to Rwanda under the new voluntary scheme.
This grant is encapsulated in an agreement signed between the National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on March 26, 2024.
The grant will assist these companies in purchasing modern equipment and in training their staff to use this equipment, in order to increase the value and quality of the products they bring to the market.
The grant agreement is the second part, supplementing another agreement signed in 2018 valued at $400,000. The initial grant was allocated to companies involved in garment manufacturing and those processing products derived from bananas.
NIRDA’s management stated that the first grant helped in improving the garment manufacturing sector, but it was deemed necessary to provide additional support to banana-based processing companies to further enhance the value of their products.
The Acting Head of department in charge of technology transfer and commercialization at NIRDA, Emmanuel Mutabazi, mentioned that the initial grant was provided by KOICA but overseen by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in terms of implementation.
After utilizing the first grant effectively, NIRDA signed another agreement to receive further support without the need for oversight on its utilization.
Mutabazi also explained why NIRDA chose to direct the second part of the grant specifically towards enhancing the banana-based beverage industry.
He stated, “We have supported various industries, about ten, but the reason we are now focusing on banana processing is that we want to add value to it. Bananas are one of the highly available crops in Rwanda. We want our industries to produce high-quality, sophisticated beverages that can compete with other imported wines.”
KOICA’s Country Director, Kim Jinhwa, expressed their satisfaction in providing additional support through NIRDA and their anticipation for further industrial development.
Kim said, “KOICA is pleased to support the initiatives linked to another agreement we had, which has been implemented. Our approach is to conduct regular reviews after implementing agreements with the government. Every five years, if we find that there are needs for further support and the beneficiaries are willing, we can allocate a budget for it.”
She continued, “NIRDA specifically requested the replacement of obsolete equipment with new, technologically advanced ones. This will be complemented by technical support and the provision of these equipment. We are happy to support the provision of these equipment and are confident that it will enable our industries to operate more efficiently.”
Furthermore, NIRDA’s management mentioned that in an effort to further enhance the value of banana wine, a yeast they developed last year is set to used.
This is because the yeast was developed after studying the composition of banana wine, unlike other yeasts imported from outside the country, which are produced without such considerations.
This comes in the wake of a recent survey by the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR) Rwanda which shows that on average women spend 35.2 hours on UCW per week compared to 14.3 hours for men.
The study unveiled during the 11th annual research conference held at Kigali Marriot Hotel on Wednesday, March 27, indicates that women work more hours in a week (75.6/168) compared to 66.6/168 for men with men having more hours for leisure at 25.1 hours compared to 18.1 hours for women.
Speaking during the event, Dr Boaz Muhanguzi, the Director of Research at IPAR Rwanda, said the three-year study was carried out in the five districts of Rwanda including Rwamagana, Gicumbi, Burera, Musanze and Nyabihu with funding from International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
The survey focused on families with at least one dependent child under the age of 12 years living in the rural areas.
The research began in 2021 and was conducted in three phases. The full report expected in May this year.
Muhanguzi emphasized that UCW recognition should start at the household level and extend to the national level.
“We are saying there is a need for recognition of the burden of unpaid care work. At the household level, women are putting in a lot of work, but nowhere has it been recognized that women are contributing significantly to care work within our communities. Additionally, men have not acknowledged the extensive efforts of their wives. Through our sensitization programs, we are encouraging men to recognize the efforts made by women,” Muhanguzi said.
“I recommend thorough sensitization of men and women about gender masculinity. When we do this, we shall have many men coming on board to share the previous workload, which was primarily done by women, for example, childcare. Men will challenge traditional norms and cultural beliefs that dictate men should not babysit or enter the kitchen to cook. More men and boys will participate in tasks traditionally performed by women and girls,” he added.
Muhanguzi called on the government to enhance measures aimed at alleviating the burden on women, such as subsidizing new technologies that could reduce the time spent on UCW. This, he said, will improve access to commodities such as water.
To improve women’s involvement in national development, Muhanguzi also urged the private sector to put in place facilities such as day care centers for employees with young babies.
“This would be far better than a situation where this person has to stay at home after maternity leave due to a lack of childcare options,” he noted.
Several stakeholders attended the event presided over by Silas Ngayaboshya, the Director General for Gender Promotion and Women’s Empowerment.
Ngayaboshya said UCW should be seen as a result of gender inequalities and emphasized on the need to address the root cause of the inequalities.
He noted that due to UCW more women than men miss out on time to invest in paid work.
Ngayaboshya also pointed out that UCW should not be seen as a women’s issue but a societal problem that has far reaching consequences for instance in the care for children.
“If children are only cared for by women, that means men are losing the opportunity to socialize with their children. This has consequences not only for the children but also for men,” he said.
“Another study has revealed that men who invest in caring for children are likely to consume less alcohol. Dialogue between husbands and wives increases, and they are more likely to have better mental health. I think we should all recognize that these benefits everyone, and we should promote equitable redistribution of unpaid care work.”
Eugenia Kayitesi, the Executive Director of IPAR Rwanda, emphasized that the redistribution and reward of UCW will promote stability in Rwandan households, particularly in rural areas where the imbalance is significant.
Additionally, stakeholders called for the implementation of gender-responsive budgeting mechanisms to allocate resources specifically for addressing Unpaid Care Work (UCW).
Other interventions sought include the recognition of the contribution of unpaid care work in the national GDP, enactment of laws that protect the rights of caregivers in both the formal and informal sectors, and ensuring meaningful representation of women in national and local decision-making forums.
This initiative, focused on children at the Kacyiru I Primary School, encompasses treatments for oral diseases and educational workshops on dental hygiene. These efforts are part of a broader campaign to commemorate World Oral Health Day, observed globally on March 20th.
The program specifically targeted students in the initial grade of primary education at EP Kacyiru I, offering them valuable lessons on dental hygiene practices, the importance of oral care, and the potential consequences of neglect. The school’s administration acknowledged the positive impact of these dental care provisions and educational efforts, highlighting the benefits for children who previously lacked access to such knowledge and services.
Sosthène Kubwimana, the school’s headteacher, praised King Faisal Hospital for including children in their outreach programs. He expressed the school’s intention to continue these vital dental care services by facilitating regular dental check-ups.
Dr. Madeleine Uwamahoro, a dentist at King Faisal Hospital and an attendee at the event, underscored the importance of prioritizing children for these dental clinics. She stressed the necessity of early education to prevent future dental issues, indicating ongoing collaboration with the school to address any arising concerns and ensure the students’ well-being.
Dr. Uwamahoro highlighted that dental issues such as tooth decay and gum disease are widespread in Rwanda, largely due to inadequate oral hygiene practices and insufficient awareness. She noted the serious complications that can arise from untreated dental conditions, including the risk of complete tooth loss, and advocated for the early education of children on oral hygiene. Additionally, she recommended avoiding excessive consumption of sugary foods and beverages.
Health experts advise that individuals should undergo dental check-ups at least three times a year to maintain optimal oral health. A World Health Organization (WHO) study in 2022 revealed that around 3.5 billion people globally suffer from dental problems, with a significant number of these cases occurring in developing countries. Many affected children in these regions are unable to receive treatment due to economic limitations.
In Rwanda, a 2021 Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) report indicated that 57% of the population does not seek dental care, and only 11.5% visit a dentist annually, despite the need for treatment due to dental issues. RBC also reported that 67% of Rwandans experience dental pain at least once daily, highlighting the critical demand for enhanced dental care services and awareness campaigns.
The incident, which took place around 2:00 PM onTuesday, unfolded in Nyamata town with the young man pushing the bee-enshrouded motorcycle to the residence of Rurangirwa Wilson, also known as Salongo, a renowned traditional healer.
The backstory reveals a familial dispute: the young man had appropriated the motorcycle from his older brother over an unresolved debt of 500,000 Rwandan Francs.
In a bid to retrieve his property, the older brother sought the intervention of Salongo, leading to the extraordinary scene witnessed by the locals.
Umuhire Vicent, a neighbor, commented on the spectacle, noting that such occurrences are not unheard of in the area. He suggested that the bees’ spell, presumably cast by Salongo, is a known deterrent against theft.
The young man, at the center of this peculiar ordeal, explained his actions as a desperate measure to reclaim the owed money.
He explained, “My brother lent me his motorcycle to enjoy the ride, but then he withheld it because I wanted him first to pay me my money. So, yesterday, I saw a swarm of bees coming to my place, heading for the motorcycle in such a way that I couldn’t even manage to ride it. It seemed like everything was telling me to bring it here to Salongo.”
Salongo, for his part, confirmed his involvement, stating that his actions were meant to redress the injustice reported to him. After the bees were removed from the motorcycle, he instructed the young man to return it immediately to his older brother.
FARDC, supported in this battle by various military groups including the Wazalendo alliance, launched attacks aiming to reopen the road connecting Sake and Minova, which has been under the control of M23 fighters for a long time.
It is reported to be a severe conflict that could potentially lead to the displacement of residents in Sake and its outskirts, primarily due to the heavy weaponry being utilized by FARDC.
On 26 March, the fighting had continued in the area of Bibwe located in Bashali Mokoto within the same territory. M23 fighters captured the area of Nyange, which is about 10 kilometers from the Bibwe center.
Following their repulsion of FARDC attacks in the Kibumba groupment at the end of last week, there was no combat reported on 26 March, the same as in Sake.
Since February 2024, M23 has controlled the hills surrounding Sake and areas towards Minova, including Shasha. FARDC has attempted numerous attacks on this group aiming to reclaim these areas, but to no avail.
M23’s political spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, warned earlier this month that if FARDC and its supporting forces continue to fire into these areas, their fighters will also seize the town of Sake.
The prosecution explained that in February 2019, Nosiviwe allegedly received a bribe of over $15,000 and this wig while she was at the airport, later agreeing to receive another $105,000 although it was not paid.
This politician temporarily stepped down from her role as the President of this Assembly while under investigation. However, she denied the charge.
Nosiviwe also requested not to be arrested while under investigation. Judge Sulet Potterill informed those involved in the case that a decision on this request will be announced on April 2, 2024.
Nosiviwe served as South Africa’s Minister of Defence from May 2014 until August 2021. She was succeeded in this position by Thandi Modise.
This project, named the ‘Smart Education Project’, is a collaboration with the Government of China, featuring technology installations that enable these institutions to access fast and affordable internet.
The initiative will be implemented through two data centers located at the University of Rwanda, specifically in the Gikondo and Huye branches.
These data centers serve a dual purpose: providing fast and affordable internet to the schools and housing various educational materials for easy access by those who need them.
The project, which began in 2018 and implemented towards the end of 2023, has already reached 500 schools and universities. It is expected to expand to 1,500 institutions across the country. To date, $30 million, equivalent to approximately 38 billion Rwandan Francs, has been invested in the project.
The State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Irere Claudette, stated that this project will help schools and universities in accessing fast and affordable internet, simplifying the teaching process.
“We have been focusing on spreading internet access in schools for some time. Often, the issue was the limited availability, preventing students and teachers from accessing it, usually confined to the management level only. Thus, our recent efforts have been towards increasing internet capacity and affordability,” she said.
To achieve this, the Rwandan Government sought the necessary resources to expand the internet infrastructure. “We started with a few schools to test the functionality. Today, they are using it to assess its speed and efficiency, and we are observing positive results,” she continued.
She added that this development would allow lessons to be delivered more efficiently, urging school leaders to maintain and expand internet access within their institutions.
Dr. Raymond Ndikumana, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Strategic Planning and Administration at the University of Rwanda (UR), commended the Ministry of Education for their trust and support, noting that it would enhance teaching methods.
Schools and universities that have begun using this internet service reported it as a timely and cost-effective upgrade from their previous connections.
Jean Marie Vianney Samarwa, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance at ICK, noted that internet costs had been a significant expense for the university, but this has now been reduced.
“We are among the universities that received this internet service three months ago. It offers many benefits, including significant savings on one of the major expenses for private universities, which is internet procurement. Previously, the high costs meant purchasing limited and often inefficient services,” Samarwa remarked.
“The affordable and efficient internet service we now have is highly beneficial. Especially during Covid-19, when we were required to conduct online teaching, we faced significant challenges due to poor internet service. This will greatly aid in remote teaching and allow foreign teachers to conduct classes from their home countries. We thank MINEDUC and the Rwandan Government,” added.
This sentiment was echoed by Ingabire Dominique,the Principal of IPRC Karongi, who mentioned that the project has reduced their internet costs and made it easier and faster for students to access the internet.
Initially targeting over 500 schools, the project aims to reach all educational institutions across the country.
President Kagame, in a statement shared on his official X account on Tuesday night, termed the 44-year-old’s victory as a true testimony to the confidence of the Senegalese people on his leadership.
“My sincere congratulations to Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his election as President of Senegal. Your victory is a true testimony to the confidence of the Senegalese people, whom I congratulate for the peaceful conduct of the elections. I look forward to further strengthening the good relations between our two nations,” Kagame wrote.
Mes sincères félicitations à Bassirou Diomaye Faye pour son élection comme Président du Sénégal. Votre victoire est un véritable témoignage de la confiance du peuple sénégalais, que je félicite pour le déroulement pacifique des élections. Je me réjouis de renforcer davantage les…
Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s main rival from the governing coalition, Amadou Ba, has already conceded defeat, setting the stage for Faye to become the youngest president in the country’s history.
“The Senegalese people have reinforced the good health of our democracy. I wish him (Faye) success at the head of our country,” Ba said.
Provisional results showed Faye with about 53.7% and Amadou Ba – from the current ruling coalition – with 36.2% based on tallies from 90% of polling stations in the first-round vote, the electoral commission said.
Faye is set to become the Africa’s youngest elected president as he commands a huge lead in the vote held on Sunday.
Faye, backed by prominent opposition figure Ousmane Sonko during the election, has pledged to make the fight against corruption and national unity his top priorities upon taking office.
“In electing me, the Senegalese people have decided on a break with a past,” Faye told journalists in his first public appearance since the election. “I promise to govern with humility and transparency.”
Sonko endorsed the former tax inspector for the presidential seat after being barred from vying.
Faye’s participated in the election barely two weeks after being released from prison in Dakar.
The President-elect had in April last year been charged with several offences, including contempt of court, after broadcasting a message critical of the judiciary in legal cases against Sonko.
Sonko joined Faye in jail in July on, among other charges, calling for insurrection.
