After completing 3 days of gender training in Muhanga district, members of the gender club at Mount Kigali University are ready to “accelerate their activities” both inside and outside the campus, after acquiring more knowledge and skills to start implementing more gender-related activities.
The training that began on 3rd October was organized by PAX PRESS (a network of 86 journalists working with 31 media houses in Rwanda to promote peace, human rights, and democracy) in partnership with Fojo Media Institute a Swedish NGO that aims to strengthen and develop journalism and media in Sweden and the rest of the world.
The training was attended by gender clubs from four different universities such as Mount Kigali University, East Africa University of Rwanda and Institute Catholique de Kabgayi (ICK).
The trainees got a chance to learn from some well-known journalists such as Peace Hillary Tumwesigire, the founder of The Family Magazine and Chairperson of Women Media Owners for Change, and Egidie Bibio Ingabire, a journalist at RBA, among others.
Egidie Ingabire highlighted how Rwandan society has made it easy for women to get a chance of exposing their abilities in many fields. “I think the leadership today has laid a good foundation for women to get equal chances of rising in different aspects of the society.” She said.
Peace Hillary Tumwesigire stressed more on gender-related discrimination cases that are mostly ignored by society and highlighted more on the importance of working together to achieve the desired goals.
“For gender equality and equity to be achieved, men and women should work together instead of competing against each other.” She said.
Abimana Didier Honore, who represented MKUR admitted that other gender clubs are ahead of his. “The time we spent there was a reality check for us. Other gender clubs are a step ahead of us therefore we are going to do whatever it takes to catch up. We have agreed to add extra effort to our club at school and this will begin with immediate effect” He said.
“I learned more about how dangerous Gender inequality can be if not eradicated, and am ready to share my experiences and knowledge about the issue in my surroundings.” Charlene Furaha, a representative of the MKUR gender club
She added that the social structure as to what women can or cannot do in society is not a stagnant situation but a changing one since it is just based on perception.
“The biggest challenge depends on how we decide to go through it.” The process towards the positive and lasting transformation of this kind of inequality and inequity requires everyone’s participation, women cannot win this fight alone, but the involvement of men is of great importance. Men have played a major role in creating this difference, the big part is theirs.
It’s just a question of mutuality and respect between the two sexes because change requires the commitment of two parties, especially not a competition.” She concluded.
The gender clubs agreed to form a sustainable joint club between universities by the end of this year, that will continue operating beyond their respective universities.
