MIGEPROF arguing women to work with financial institutions that provide loans

March 01, 2021, speaking to Radio Rwanda of Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, the permanent secretary in the ministry of gender and family promotion, Assoumpta Ingabire has said that women nowadays are doing better than those of the pre-genocide era. This is due to the fact that the government has made their development one of their priorities.

She said: “In 2013, there was the establishment of a policy governing the management of land, giving men and women equal rights to it. In 2018, girls were allowed to inherit. Institutions like the ministry of gender and family promotion were established, National Women’s Council and the Gender monitoring office.  90% of the people are set to be guaranteed access to financing services. There is a government policy bringing together different institutions in a bid to increase employment opportunities, while women and the youth will be facilitated to access financing services with 15% of the total funds provided by the Business Development Fund (BDF)”.

Speaking to Radio Rwanda, THE Director of national Business Development Fund, BDF, Vincent MUNYESHYAKA has said that only 45% of all women can access financial services globally, while the 55% men do. He added that there has been some improvements, where women and the youth have been eased to access the financial services.

He said: “Generally, we are helping women and the youth access financial services and the year 2000, the government started this project. 52% of the whole population had no access to financial services in general, among them 60% are women. Today, 36% of all Rwandans work with Banks, 34% are women while men are 40%”.

The permanent secretary in the ministry of gender and family promotion, Assoumpta Ingabire has said that one of the biggest hindrances behind women and the youth is “Ignorance” and “misinformation”. She also added that women are still yet to be brave enough to try loans because of collaterals.

In a bid to solve the collateral issue, BDF offers 50% on loans for men and 75% for youths and women. Commercial loans are also provided, with a 15% reduction for the top performing businesses.

A lot of countries and international organizations have adopted several strategies to promote women and the youth, which is proven by sustainable programs that are established. The 5th Goal of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, is to empower women and the youth, while the 6th goal of the Agenda 2063 of the African Union is to build a continent based on the citizens’ capacity, especially women and the youth.

MIGEPROF keeps encouraging women to go beyond obstacles and work closely with financial institutions, go to science and vocational schools and get informed about current trends.