Rwanda
Women's school enrolment increasing in Rwanda

afrol News, 3 March - The percentage of women in institutions of higher learning stands at 25 percent, according to the Rwandan Ministry of Education. In an Inter-University Seminar on Gender and Education, Education Minister Prof. Romain Murenzi highlighted some of Rwanda’s education statistics which also indicate that at the primary school level, enrolment of girls is at par with boys. 

Academic performance of girls is, however, poorer than boys at all levels of education, with girls and women opting for ‘traditional’ courses, according to news released from the Rwandan government. At the National University at Butare for example, there are only 33 women in taking science and technology courses compared to 277 men. 

Prof. Murenzi appealed for a “conducive environment for learning for both sexes, and for a society that gives equal chances to all children.” 

The Rector for the National University at Butare, Dr. Emile Rwamasirabo said, “Gender is a strategic issue for the country and one of the aspects which should be used to eradicate poverty and lead to development in the country.” 

Rwamasirabo stressed the need for women to get access to education and proper health facilities. “It is through education that women get empowered. And through empowerment they produce more for the nation and are usually the best leaders and managers,” he added. 

The seminar was attended by representatives, lecturers and students from 13 higher institutes of learning, including the National University of Rwanda, the Kigali Institute of Science Technology and Management, Kigali Health Institute and Kigali Institute of Education. 

Despite constitutional provisions, Rwandan women continued to face discrimination, a report by the US government released today holds. Women traditionally perform most of the subsistence farming. "Since the 1994 genocide, which left numerous women as heads of households, women have assumed a larger role in the modern sector, and many run their own businesses. Nevertheless, women continued to have limited opportunities for education, employment, and promotion," the US report concludes. 

Sources: Based on Rwandan and  US govts. and afrol archives

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