Sports to Empower Women & Girls in Rwanda

  In preparation of the 20^th commemoration of the Rwandan Genocide against the Tusti, AKWOS    organized a 3 days workshop for Women  leaders from different Cells in Rukumberi  Sector of the Eastern Province  on their role to fight the Ideology of Genocide never to happen again .This took place from the  1^st April and ended on the 3^rd with different sports activities  such as Women bicycle riding  ,a football match and a sketch on Unity and Reconciliation as the main tool to unite Rwandan, learning from the past to build a brilliant future.  About 5000 spectators participated in support of the activity.

The theme of the event was “SPORTS CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND CONTRIBUTE TO “NDI UMUNYARWANDA” POLICY”.

During the 3 days workshop below are the following topics that were tackled:

• The role of professional communication,
• Sensitization,
• Role of each Rwandan to promote the culture of peace and support to the vulnerable during the mourning period,
• The role of sports for social change, teamwork and unity,
• Rules and regulations during Football match.

Women were given the importance to promote sports activities for their physical fitness, heal of trauma, and discuss more about NDI UMUNYARWANDA policy.

The participants were 45 women in number:

• A woman representing CNF (Commission Nationale de la Femme) from each cell,
• A woman representing the CNJ (Commission Nationale de la Jeunesse) from each cell,
• A woman in charge of social affairs in each area(Umudugudu)
• A woman representing IBUKA,
• A woman representative of CNF in the sector.

All the trainers completed the training with a mandate to sensitize their community.

On the closing day, a big gathering of about 5000 people came to watch the sketch and to listen to different messages from the invited dignitaries: the Executive Secretary of Rukumberi Sector, the representative of Ngoma district, the Rwanda National Commission of Unity and Reconciliation, AKWOS Executive Director, the National Police and the representative of Rwanda Governance Board who was our Guest of Honor. In their speeches they all appreciated the good initiative from AKWOS which contributes to the Government policies more to that it is the responsibility of every Rwandan to promote security and to know their rights and never to listen to any person bringing differences. Most of the messages passed were emphasizing to Unity and Reconciliation through Sports.

As mentioned above. 20 women competed on bicycle riding and each one was given a prize of loincloth (Igitenge) and an envelope enclosed with some cash. And the 2 football teams that participated, the wining team received 2 balls with an envelope of cash and the second team received 1 ball and some cash, whereas the National Women Representative Council received also 1 ball and the sector also received a ball as a sign to start promoting sports.

There was also a drama which was played as a sketch which attracted a big gathering to emphasize NDI UMUNYARWANDA policy (standing for “BEING PROUD OF WHO WE ARE AND FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION”.   

The event was closed with visible excitement of all participants. They all praised the great initiative of AKWOS, requesting for more seminars and sports tournaments for the interest of Rukumberi Community. This sector was chosen as our focal point because it is one of the most victims of 1994 Genocide against Tusti.