Awa Prize
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Belgique
Kigali,
14 October 2022 – More than 80 people gathered to discuss the socio-economic
impact of women’s entrepreneurship in Rwanda. Initiated by Enabel, the Belgian
development agency in partnership with Rwanda’s Gender Monitoring Office (GMO),
the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) and the National
Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA) , this event took place on
the occasion of the launch of the Awa Prize, a new international contest for
women entrepreneurs.
On this
occasion, a large audience composed of entrepreneurs, private sector
development experts, government bodies were invited to join the crucial
conversation on women’s entrepreneurship as a tool for socio-economic
development of urban and rural communities.
The evening
was introduced by Jean-Michel Swalens, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of
Belgium in Rwanda.
Concerned with the topic of gender equality on society at large, he said : “Belgian cooperation is committed to supporting Rwanda in creating an increasingly favorable environment for entrepreneurship with particular attention to women. The Awa Prize initiative will be of great help to succeed!”
To lead the
discussion, four experts took part in a round table to share their expertise
and viewpoints on this paramount question : Francine Munyaneza from Munyax Eco,
Florien H. Rurihose, Deputy Chief of the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO), Annette
Mukayiranga from the National Industrial Research and Development Agency
(NIRDA) and Sifa Florence Sangwa, agriculture student.
The
conversation started around the topic of family life and its impact on the creation
of a company for a woman. It appeared that while a family can be a great source
of support, relatives’ concerns, as caring as they are, can also be a brake.
In the
agricultural sector, and especially in rural areas, some challenges can be more
difficult to tackle for women entrepreneurs. A better access to information, by
communicating through the relevant medias will enable more women from rural
areas to access the opportunities they may not be aware of.
The
importance of building relevant programs for women was also stressed. According
to several participants in the attendance, women’s needs and voice need to be
taken into account in the very conception of such support initiatives. “Women
are not statistics!” said Annette Mukayiranga, from NIRDA. “Women need to be
treated the same way as men when it comes to entrepreneurship.”
Besides the
potential solutions formulated throughout the discussions, one idea often
appeared as an important basis for a better distribution of opportunities in
entrepreneurship : the importance of fellowship, mutual support and strong
networks of women entrepreneurs.
The round
table was the first of a series of events around women entrepreneurship which
will be organized by Enabel in the four upcoming years as part of the Awa
Prize, a new international competition for women entrepreneurs in all partner
countries of the Belgian development agency. This project aims at shedding the
light on women who animate their communities with their business. Rwandan
entrepreneurs are invited to apply on the website of the project until
October 24.
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