This year again the Rwandan women’s association in Netherlands, ISHEMA has celebrated the women’s day on March 5th 2011. The Burundian foundation Umubano has joined us and together we made it a very successful event.
The program of the day was intense but very interesting, combining presentations by expert women on various issues, speeches and of course with rich cultural performances such as dance, songs and comedy. African’s buffet was prepared and served by women and there was space for informal network and at the end the party with music, dance and cheers!!
This celebration was made possible through the financial support of the Embassy of Rwanda in Netherlands and the Municipality of the Hague’s.
About 200 persons (mostly women) Rwandan, Burundian and other nationalities have participated to the celebration of this day. The master of ceremonies of the day, Amina did a great job by leading the programme starting at 6 pm to 1 a.m!
The following issues have been addressed in different presentations;
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The achievements of the Umubano foundation in Netherlands (by Georgette). This organization is very active especially with regard to economic empowerment of Burundian women living in the Netherlands.
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Presentation of ISHEMA (Rwandese women’s association in Netherlands) and its recent training project in Rwanda. The chair lady, Christelle made a short presentation of the said project that was executed in collaboration with an other Rwandese foundation : “ Together in action”. This project aimed the knowledge transfer by Rwandan women of the Diaspora to their fellow women in the Southern Province in Rwanda in 2010.
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Women’s Diaspora philanthropy: in a powerpoint presentation, Josephine shared her experience and ideas over initiatives done by women in Diaspora in terms of fundraising and financial support of small projects in their home countries. She then pointed out the crucial role played by women to develop and bring social change in different areas and policies in the countries where they come from. As illustration of this, an amount of €84,90 was collected from participants as a contribution to the realization of the Rwandan Diaspora project named: “ Bye bye Nyakatsi ".
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The situation of gender equity and women’s rights in Rwanda. This is a presentation done by Ms Ingabire M Immaculee who has been invited from Rwanda. She is a passionate activist of women’s rights in Rwanda. Her presentation was very inspiring and very informative over the great achievements of Rwandan women in terms of gender and empowerment since the aftermath period of genocide in Rwanda.
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The role of women in peace building in great Lakes region. Faduma of the Multicultural Women Peace Network (MWPN) shared her organisation’s experience with their advocacy work around the implementation by countries of the UN Resolution 1325.
Beside these presentations we were honored by the speech of the representative of the Rwandan Embassy in Netherlands, Ms Mbabazi Enid. In her speech she emphasized the valuable contribution by Rwandan women in Rwandan and in the Diaspora towards the implementation of policies around gender and development. She encouraged women’s commitment for the cause of fellow women in Rwanda and worldwide.
Great thanks to all who contributed to the success of this day from the conception to the realization.
Together we made it!!!
For those who like to download one or more pictures of this day, we advise you to use this weblink:
http://womens-day-2011.ishema.nl/
Last Saturday we had the Ishema Day in The Hague, the Netherlands.
