The Justice and Peace Commission encourages women to participate in decision making bodies.

On this Tuesday, September 12, 2023, coordinators and staff of the Justice and Peace Commission’s project aimed at empowering women and encouraging them to participate in decision-making bodies, met in a training session aimed at assessing the progress of this project and the step forward.

This project will last for five years, working in the areas of Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru in the Diocese of Gikongoro and in the area of ​​Rulindo in the Archdiocese of Kigali.

It is a project funded by Trocaire, and has so far 806 beneficiaries in the areas mentioned above.

Father Valens Niragire, the secretary of the justice and peace commission, who launched this training, said that the target of this project is to promote women and change the attitude that makes them afraid to take part in decision-making, both at home, in the society and in other private organisation.

“The purpose of this project is to educate and empower women in many areas of their lives and help them to be part in decision making bodies.” he said.

Talking on the way this project is implemented and the methods used to educate women, Father Valens said, “When we go to talk to them, we first listen to them to know their position on the issue. We also talk to men so that they know that being a real man is not being crual.”

Karigirwa Annonciata, the coordinator of the justice and peace commission in the Archdiocese of Kigali, who is also in charge of monitoring the programs of this project in collaboration with CEJP Rwanda, said that this project came to answer the problem of women was left behind due to culture and other social ideologies.

“There are women who still have the feeling that there are things that concern men that do not concern them. For example, when you go to a meeting, you find that a woman does not go to the meeting because of a lot of work. You ask her and she replies that meetings are attended by men.” She said.

According to him, in this project, women are also helped to know the laws, including those related to the family and those that promote women.

This project is part of the Justice and Peace Commission’s plan to build lasting peace in the community. As the heart of the home, her development is the development of the whole family. This project is expected to last for three years. Even though it only work in three regions, the Commission for Justice and Peace wants to expand to reach all over the country. For this the commission invites partners to bring their support in this important project for the development and well-being of the Community and the Nation.