A delegation from Chad visited Rwanda to learn from its best practice in gender equality and women empowerment
The Chadian Minister for Women, Protection of Early Childhood and National Solidarity, Dr. Djalal Adrjoun Khalil, and her delegation landed in the Thousand Hills Country on Saturday 21 July and stayed in Rwanda for almost a week.
The delegation from the Central Africa nation visit which aimed at learning from Rwanda’s best practice in the areas of gender equality, women empowerment and child rights was marked by praising Rwanda’s women empowerment and gender equality initiatives and the huge progress that Rwanda has made after the 1994 Genocide perpetrated against Tutsi.
Dr. Djalal Adrjoun Khalil told reporters that she and her delegation learnt a lot during their stay and were pleased by how both male and female are given equal opportunity adding that they will introduce some good policies they have seen in Rwanda.
“We wish to establish all good practices that we have seen here. We have some ECD centers and other institutions which are not as well organized as you have done it here.’ She said
Commenting on Rwanda’s horrific history after visiting Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum, the delegation said that they were touched by how Rwanda bounced back after 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and how President Kagame led a liberation war, saving many Rwandans and later contributed in re-building a united nation.
“It should be an example for the world, not only Africa. President Kagame should not be appreciated by Rwanda only, but we (all) Africans.” she said.
Rwanda’s Minister for Gender and Family Promotion, Esperance Nyirasafari, who met the delegation on Tuesday 24 July, told them that Rwanda considers women’s rights as human’s rights, adding that gender equality and women empowerment has been achieved due to the political will from the top headship of President Kagame who is also a He4She campaign champion.
While exchanging experiences from the two countries, the Chadian delegation highlighted that culture and religion remain major challenges towards Gender Equality in their country.
“Culture and religion is the biggest challenge back home. For instance, Chadian women lose matrimonial rights when their husbands die, our religion tolerates polygamy. In Chad, we have many ethnic groups have different cultures, some believe that a woman should stay at home and must look after her children. It is the father who has to bring food, and if the father refuses to bring the food at home, it is a big problem,” said Minister Dr. Djalal Adrjoun Khalil.
Dr. Djalal Adrjoun Khalil, and her delegation visited different places including the Kigali Genocide Memorial where they laid a wreath paying tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide perpetrated against, Campaign Against Genocide Museum, Rwanda parliament, Business Development Fund, Rwanda Men’s Resources Center (RWAMREC), Isange One Stop Center, C & H garment Ltd., Gender Monitoring Office, Nyagatovu ECD Center, Women Opportunities Center in Kayonza.