From 13th to 15th of February 2019, The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee hosted the National Forum for Gender Equality in Rwanda Sports Movement which took place in Nyanza District.
The three-day forum was officially opened by the Minister of Sports and Culture, Hon. Espérance Nyirasafari – She urged women to work together in order to overcome challenges they face in sports.
“Let me take this opportunity to thank the organisers of the forum aimed at finding a strategic plan that will involve more women in the sports transformation of this country,” she said.
“Gender equality in sports is not a forgotten issue by the government, but we need more integration of women in decision-making bodies, not only in women’s sport, administration, but also in the decision making processes though there are challenges which are not just particular to Rwanda”.
The RNOSC President, Amb. Valens Munyabagisha: “Some of the challenges faced by women in sports included lack of investments, low turn up of women in sports especially in decision-making process in the Sports Federations they belong to.”
The IOC Member and RNOSC Vice President, Mrs. Felicite Rwemarika: “More of these more information about women in sports should be organized in order to encourage more women to get involved in the sector just like other sectors.”
The forum that concluded on Friday evening attracted 64 women participants from different sports bodies, private partners, and government officials as well as other stakeholders.