Mount Kigali University today played host to Charlene Ruto, First Daughter of His Excellency Dr. William Ruto, President of Kenya, emphasized the importance of women uplifting one another as a key to empowerment. Delivering an exclusive and inspiring talk titled “Empower Her Initiative” to students at Mount Kigali University, Charlene urged women to foster mutual support to drive meaningful change in their communities.
“If your friend has started a business, be their first customer. If your friend is looking for a job, be the first to refer them. If your friend needs help with their assignments, be the first to step in,” she said.
Ms. Ruto also stressed that empowerment and support should not be limited to women alone, emphasizing the equal importance of men in driving community advancement.
“At some point, women will marry and will need men with strong values. Some will raise sons. That’s why we must make it a collective goal to empower both genders equally if we want to build a thriving, functioning society,” she stated.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Martin Kimemia, praised Charlene Ruto, the founding patron of the Smart Mechanized Agriculture and Climate Action for Humanity and Sustainability (SMACHS) Foundation, for her outstanding efforts in empowering young people, particularly in agribusiness, climate action, and sustainable development. He commended her dedication to youth empowerment, women’s leadership, and community development.
“We can all take inspiration from her work and strive to make our world a better place to live,” Dr. Kimemia remarked.
Dr. Kimemia also commended the initiative taken by female students at the university to fully leverage the supportive environment provided to help them reach their potential.
“Our female students are increasingly recognizing their potential, particularly in leadership roles. For example, in the past two years, we’ve had the honor of electing the first and second-ever female guild presidents. Both won their elections fairly and on merit, without the need for gender balance policies in the selection process,” he noted, emphasizing the progress made in promoting gender equality through genuine student leadership.
Dr. Nkechi Irechukwu, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Mount Kigali University, highlighted the growing significance of women in leadership roles, moving beyond traditional stereotypes.
She emphasized that empowerment allows women to “gain control over their lives and make strategic choices,” focusing on key aspects like self-worth, access to opportunities, and the power to influence social change.
Dr. Irechukwu called for education, training, and resources as vital tools to break down gender inequality, adding, “Empowering women is essential for sustainable development.” She urged women to “empower yourself first,” stressing self-belief and resilience, even in the absence of external support.
The DVC academics, Dr. Nelly Wamaitha discussed on the impact of cultural practices on the empowerment of women, and we can learn from them to improve the community.
Dr. Nelly Wamaitha, the DVC Academics, addressed the impact of cultural practices on women’s empowerment, noting that while many traditional customs in East African communities were often harsh on women, they arose from a need to maintain social cohesion in transitioning societies.
“Elders likely didn’t intend to harm women; these customs were necessary for stability at the time,” she explained. However, as societies evolve, she emphasized the importance of adapting these practices to align with modern values.
Dr. Wamaitha suggested that some traditional practices can be reexamined and updated to better fit contemporary needs. “In the past, women played key roles in organizing ceremonies and working together in agriculture. Reviving this sense of community and cooperation could empower women today through initiatives like cooperatives or collective business ventures,” she explained.
The student and staff at the university were happy to engage the first daughter of Kenya.
She was received at the university by the VC Dr. Martin Kimemia.
Kenya’s first daughter began the tour by visiting the University Sister station Royal FM, where the SMACHS Foundation Founder and patron shared her passion on youth empowerment.
The SMACH patron has been in Kigali attending the Africa Food System Forum 2024. She wrote on her X-account, “I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be speaking at The Africa Food Systems Forum 2024, taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, from September 2nd to 6th. This event will bring together leaders, experts, and changemakers from across the continent to discuss and drive transformative change in Africa’s food systems. I’ll be addressing the crucial topic of Africa’s Youth Position on Food Systems, Policy, and Climate Change, highlighting the role of young people in shaping sustainable solutions and influencing policy decisions that impact our future. This forum is a unique opportunity to contribute to the dialogue on how we can secure a resilient and equitable food system for Africa. Looking forward to engaging with fellow advocates and visionaries as we work towards a better future for our continent!”
