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 till 1 a.m!

The following issues have been addressed in different presentations;

• 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.

• 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.

• 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”.

• 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.

• 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/

Please look here to see how succesful this event was:

1. Part 01
2. Part 02
3. Part 03
4. Part 04

To give you an impression of this day, some pictures were made. At this moment the photographer is working on them and we expect them to apear on line somewhere at the beginning of this week.

Please have a little patience.

 Bavandimwe, nshuti,

Twishimiye kubatumira kuza kwifatanya n’abanyarwanda/kazi n’inshuti z’u Rwanda mu munsi mukuru wagenewe abari n’abategarugori.

Uyu munsi mukuru uzabera i Den Haag ku itariki ya 5/ 03/ 2011 kuri adresse ikurikira:

Partycentrum Zichtenburg

Zichtenburglaan 23

2544 EA Den Haag

Ntimuzacikwe n’ibiganiro byiza n’umususuruko uzaranga uyu munsi nkurikije uko ababiteguye babitwijeje.

Mubigeze ku bandi banyarwanda/kazi aho bari hose tuzahure turi benshi mu rugwiro rusanzwe ruturanga.

Murakoze.

Programma      Programu

Rwandese Women Association in
The Netherlands – “Ishema”

Route

Per auto
Vanuit richting Utrecht, Amsterdam en Rotterdam de afslag Den Haag-Zuid nemen.Bij de Erasmusweg komende, ANWB-borden Kijkduin volgen, vervolgens de borden Zichtenburg/Kerketuinen volgen.
Vanuit de richting Wassenaar (A44/N44) borden Kijkduin volgen, vervolgens borden Zichtenburg/Kerketuinen volgen.

Per openbaar vervoer

1. Va Den Haag CS : RandstadRail 4 richting Bouwlustlaan. Uitstappen Bouwlustlaan. 2 min lopen naar Zichtenburglaan 23.
2. Va HS: Tram 1 richting Spui/Stadhuis. Uitstappen halte Spui/Stadhuis. RandstadRail 4 richting De Uithof. Uitstappan Bouwlustlaan. 2 min lopen naar Zichtenburglaan 23.
3. Va Scheveningen/Kurhaus: Stadsbus 21 richting Vrederust. Uitstappen Dedemvaartweg/Escamplaan. Bus 36 richting Maasland. Uitstappen Zichtenburglaan. 5 min lopen naar Zichtenburglaan 23.
4. Va Kijkduin: Stadsbus 23 richting Duindorp. Uitstappen Leyenburg. RandstadRail 4 richting De Uithof. Uitstappan Bouwlustlaan. 2 min lopen naar Zichtenburglaan 23.
5. Va Rijswijk: Buslijn 23 richting Kijkduin. Uitstappen Leyenburg. RandstadRail 4 richting De Uithof. Uitstappan Bouwlustlaan. 2 min lopen naar Zichtenburglaan 23.
6. Va Rotterdam CS/Delft: Via Hollands Spoor of Den Haag CS. Zie boven.