0
0
By Annonciata Byukusenge
In Rwandan cultural history, women were traditionally responsible for childbirth, cooking, caring for children, and performing other tasks dictated by their husbands. They carried out these duties at home, without opportunities to engage with others or earn money, as there were no means available to do so.
This sentiment was echoed by women from the Southern Province who spoke with The Forefront Magazine. These women have formed groups and cooperatives and are beneficiaries of UN Women, which has helped them break free from isolation and advance their livelihoods.
Mukakamazi Epiphanie, a 55-year-old woman residing in the Gatoki village of Save sector in Gisagara district, shares her experience. She grew up seeing her mother confined to the home, performing domestic chores, but without the means to earn money.
She says, “Women in the past faced many challenges that hindered their progress because they were limited to the home. We are different from them because we have had the opportunity to engage with others, exchange ideas for development, save money, and receive training on income-generating projects. Such opportunities did not exist in the past.”
Mukakamazi expresses pride in the progress they have made, noting that women now contribute ideas that are implemented and play a role in nation-building.
How Did Women Transition from Home to Wealth?
The Rwandan government has promoted the principles of gender equality, leading to women’s increased participation in leadership and decision-making roles.
Women say that after coming together, they initiated projects that generate income, focusing on vegetable farming in the Nyabuyogera swamp.
Mukakamanzi explains that before 2022, she farmed on approximately 50 ares (about 0.5 hectares), yielding 20 kg of beans, 15 kg of maize, and 5 kg of potatoes, all from the same field.
In 2022, Mukakamazi and other women from the Save sector established a cooperative called INKINGI Z’ITERAMBERE (Pillars of Development), which now has 270 members, including 42 men.
She adds, “We received training from the JP RWEE project, which taught us professional farming techniques, resulting in increased yields and income.”
She said, “Although the land area hasn’t increased, I now harvest 150 kg of beans, 300 kg of maize, and 500 kg of potatoes from the same 50 ares. My productivity has improved because I no longer farm haphazardly; instead, I practice crop rotation. My income has also risen from 15,000 RWF per month to 50,000 RWF.”
This experience is echoed by Zabanyinshi Jacqueline, who lives in the Ndora sector. Women from Giseke village, numbering 118, along with 74 men, engage in the farming of beans and maize in the Giseke marsh.
She recounts, “Before learning proper farming techniques, I farmed chaotically, producing 50 kg of beans and 100 kg of maize. Now, I harvest 200 kg of beans and 500 kg of maize.”
Jacqueline explains that the profits from her agricultural yield have enabled her to start a poultry project, and she is now a poultry farmer.
Regarding her monthly income, she notes that she previously earned 40,000 RWF, but now she makes 120,000 RWF from selling eggs from her chickens.
Where Did the Capital Come From?
In 2022, the Joint Programme on Accelerating Progress towards Rural Women’s Economic Empowerment (JP RWEE) project began collaborating with women from various districts, including those in the Southern Province. This initiative has equipped women with knowledge through training sessions, covering topics such as good governance, gender equality, and income-generating agriculture, all of which have been supported by funding.
Murangira Jeana Bosco, a staff member at UN Women responsible for coordinating the JP RWEE activities, says, “We have supported women’s groups and cooperatives in various agricultural endeavors. It’s not only groups; individual entrepreneurs who have initiated projects have also received support. We are proud of the achievements and have witnessed that when people are allowed to think for themselves, they advance rapidly.”
He adds that women have now gained the confidence to engage with financial institutions, eliminating previous barriers to accessing funds that could help expand their activities.
Achievements for JP RWEE Phase II
7,261 farmers trained on Climate-Smart Agriculture practices through Farmer Field Schools (FFLS). 26 Hectares of land under solar-powered irrigation.
325 saving groups created (bringing together 7,798 farmers, 1,500 men, and 6,297 women), Rwf 200 million saved, and Rwf 130 million issued to members in loans.
2,753 individual farmers & 44 groups have opened bank accounts, increasing access to financial services. One poultry model farm and two selling points established.
This project is implemented by FAO, IFAD, UN Women, and WFP, in partnership with the Government of Rwanda, through four implementing partners: CVI, INADES Formation Rwanda, RWARRI, and SAFE.
