International Women’s Day celebration in the Netherlands
The Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in The Hague in collaboration with the Rwandan Community in the Netherlands, celebrated International Women’s Day on the 18th March under the theme ‘Preserving the Dignity Regained’. Internationally, it was celebrated under the theme ‘Be Bold for Change’.
This occasion brought more than 200 guests from several dignitaries together including ambassadors, civil societies in the Netherlands, Rwandan diaspora and friends of Rwanda.
The gathering served as a platform to reflect on the achievements registered so far, the challenges and the way forward in regards to women empowerment in Rwanda and the Netherlands.
For additional pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157678343375263
The master of ceremony Ms Joelle Mpinganzima, welcomed everyone at the Hilton Hotel in The Hague and thanked the Embassy of Rwanda for continued collaboration in organization of the International Women’s Day. She moderated the program that started with a panel discussion led by Ms Joy Uwanziga and Mr Robert Kayinamura about women empowerment and culture.
The key message by Mrs Christine Safari, representative of the Rwanda Women Diaspora, was about the essential role of gender equality in attaining women empowerment. The event, that also included several dance performances by the Inganzo Cultural Troop and a colorful fashion show, further highlighted the importance of equal representation of women at all levels of government and the integration of gender issues in all aspects of development.
The guest of honor was Mrs Leontine Van Hooft, CEO of GreenDreamCompany & Ubuntu Impact Investments in the Netherlands. She is the director and co-founder/owner of GreenDreamCompany and Ubuntu Impact Investments. Both firms work closely together and in partnerships on the development of creative leisure, hospitality and tourism industry, in upcoming markets like Rwanda. Mrs Van Hooft said in her speech that it’s still crucial to women to get connected worldwide through internet, global society and women’s networks. She said that each individual can and should make a difference and quoted an African proverb: “If you think you are to small to make a difference, you have not spent the night with a mosquito!”
H.E. Ambassador Jean Pierre Karabaranga, thanked all guests who attended the celebration and reminded that Rwanda has done enormous progress in all sectors for last 22 years from scratch, under the exceptional leadership of President Paul Kagame. Specifically, in the journey to gender equality and women’s empowerment, a lot has been done and great progress has been registered making Rwanda one the best performers worldwide.
“This year Rwanda celebrated this day for the 42nd time with the theme: ‘preserving the dignity regained’. For Rwandans in general and for Rwandan women in particular we have good reasons to celebrate this day, considering tremendous achievements and progress we did in struggling for gender equality and women’s empowerment”, said the Ambassador.
Women empowerment in Rwanda
In Rwanda women make up 52 per cent of its population; the country was ranked 6th worldwide in the World Economic Gender Gap Report 2015, up from 7th position in 2014. The report ranks 145 countries on their ability to close the gender gap in four fundamental areas: economic participation and opportunity, education, health and survival, and political empowerment. However, despite an impressive record on gender equality, challenges still prevail.
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Photography by the Embassy of Rwanda in The Hague.
