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Icyegeranyo cy’amakuru y’imikino yaranze icyumweru kuva taliki 10 kugeza taliki 14 Kamena 2022, kanda hano.

Icyegeranyo cy’amakuru y’imikino yaranze icyumweru kuva taliki 02 kugeza taliki 09 Kamena 2022, kanda hano.

The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC), in collaboration with the RNOSC Women in Sport Commission, hosted a workshop titled “Smart Women – Smart Sport” under the Auspices of the Olympic Solidarity. The 2-day event under the theme “Women and Sport”, held at Centre d’Acceuil Bonne Espérance in Kigali city from 19-20 May 2022.

The event aimed at empowering and providing capacity building to its members by addressing various challenges the Rwanda Sport Movement is facing while promoting the Olympic values and gender equality in particular and this was emphasized by the Second Vice President at the RNOSC Mrs. Salama Umutoni in her opening remarks.

“This workshop aims at discussing the challenges women face in sports sector. There are also experts who will share their expertise and I encourage women to talk about the issues they face and work together to find solutions and a better way forward,” she said.

A total of 38 participants including 33 women from National Sports Federations, Rwanda Olympians Association and Sports Centers of Excellence in Schools (ISONGA Programme) took part.

During these two days, the participants benefited from the following presentations:

• “Prevention of Harassment and Abuse in Sports (sexual, verbal & emotional abuse) and Mental Health.” by First Vice President at Rwanda Cycling Federation Mrs. Mukazibera Marie Agnes
• “Talent Detection” by the Technical Director at Rwanda Volleyball Federation Mrs. Gertrude Kubwimana
• “Sports Nutrition” by Nutritionist/MD “La Pervenche Nutrition Cabinet” Mrs. Mukayumba Anastasie
• “Menstruation and Athlete’s Performance” by Sports Expert Mrs. E’GAIRMA Hermine
• “Sports Medicine” by RNOSC Medical and Anti-Doping Commission Dr. Nuhu Assuman and the Vice President of the RNOSC Sport For All Commission Mrs. Murangwa Usenga Sandrine
• “Sports and Mental Health” by the Director General of Huye Isange Rehabilitation Center Dr. Patrick RWAGATARE
• “Women in Coaching” by Head Coach REG Women BBC Mukaneza Espérance
• “Refereeing” by FIFA Referee Murangwa Usenga Sandrine
• “Sports Journalism” by Sports Journalist and President of the RNOSC Women in Sport Commission Ariane Uwamahoro

Igihozo Yvette who participated in the wokrshop shared her key takeaway: “We learned how to avoid violence against a sportswoman, how to nourish our bodies as sportswomen, we were given insightful information about women’s periods and we also had  an opportunity to hear testimonies of women in sports industry.”

The Technical Director at Rwanda Volleyball Federation Mrs. Gertrude Kubwimana who was among the speakers: “We received positive feedback from invitated participants to this event, including athletes, coaches, referees or others involved in sports management. They were happy and eager for more knowledge.”

In her closing remarks, the IOC Member Mrs. Félicité RWEMARIKA urged her fellow women to remain focused and take a leaf from a few who have excelled if they are to succeed in various sports disciplines.

“Firstly, we encourage women to believe in themselves, secondly, to improve their personal development skills and their contribution to the development of sport. You do not have to think that opportunities will come to you just because you are a woman but because you deserve it,” Rwemarika said.

“We were able to hear from them, their challenges and what they want to be done. We are going to present them to competent authorities to find solutions for them toward creating a better environment for women in sports,” she added.

The workshop was concluded with certificate award ceremony and group photos.

More photos of the workshop, click here.