Irish Charity Empowers Rwandan Women to Drive Community Change

An Irish charity is making significant strides in empowering Rwandan women to become agents of change in their communities. Despite Rwanda boasting the highest percentage of female representation in national parliament globally, women in the country continue to face challenges such as gender-based violence, limited influence in household decision-making, and inadequate access to financial independence.

These issues are further intensified by the climate crisis, which exposes communities to extreme weather events, including floods and landslides. Changing weather patterns threaten crop yields for subsistence farmers and reduce job availability for vulnerable workers. Pregnant women, in particular, bear the brunt of these challenges, often working longer hours for less pay, dealing with poor health outcomes, and facing increased gender-based violence.

Trocaire, an Irish charity, has partnered with Rwandan non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to support initiatives that uplift women and their wider communities. One such partner, the Rwanda Women’s Network (RWN), has established over 24 women’s spaces across the country since its inception after the genocide, providing crucial support for women to overcome trauma.

Stella Maris Murekeyisoni, a project coordinator with RWN, remarked, “These are more than physical places; they are places of healing, belonging, and trust.” Many women who seek assistance at these centres face trauma, financial dependency, and experiences of gender-based violence (GBV). Within these supportive environments, they find solidarity and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Rwanda is the focus of Trocaire’s 2026 Lenten Box fundraising campaign. In the Rulindo District, approximately an hour’s drive north of the capital Kigali, an RWN hub serves women seeking help for issues such as teenage pregnancy, experiences with GBV, and financial dependency. Emilia Placide Mubyeyi, RWN’s field coordinator in Rulindo, emphasized that the Trocaire-supported centre aims to build women’s confidence, enhance their ability to participate in decisions affecting their lives, and promote economic empowerment alongside GBV awareness and prevention.

The centre features a playroom for women who bring their children, as well as a safe space with a bed for those needing a place to rest. RWN employs a 13-session Masidama programme focused on women’s empowerment, offering advice on financial stability, investment, agricultural training, and income generation strategies.

Murekeyisoni shared success stories from the programme, noting that previously, many women could not attend local community meetings. Now, all 190 participants who have completed the Masidama course at the Rulindo centre actively engage in community decisions. Collaborating with the women-led NGO Duterimbere, participants receive financial literacy training and access to savings and loan groups, which have facilitated the establishment of various businesses.

The Rulindo centre has achieved notable success, with women winning a competition for their business acumen. The hub includes a small agricultural area for crops and livestock, a private consultation room for counselling, and a sewing room.

Murore Marie Goretti, a 35-year-old mother of three, expressed her transformation: “I used to be a woman with self-stigma and lack of confidence, but I am now a facilitator, training other women to be self-confident and to not be where I used to be.”

Geraldine Uwimana, who runs a small store adjacent to the main RWN building, highlighted the impact of the Masidama curriculum on her life. “I learned that a woman cannot have a voice if she doesn’t have money, that’s the reason I’m here,” she stated.

Uwimana has gained essential skills in running a business, including record-keeping and stock projections. “Before coming here, I was just a housewife doing farming activities and cooking for my family. But after joining this team, I became confident. I now earn my own money,” she explained.

She added, “I can now buy clothes without asking my husband for money.” Uwimana encouraged other women in similar situations: “You are capable; you just have to be confident enough, and everything will be alright.”

Trocaire’s country director in Rwanda, Marleen Masclee, emphasized the charity’s approach to community empowerment. “We ensure that communities are empowered themselves and much more resilient by mitigating risks and diversifying income sources.”

Masclee noted that their work is community-driven, focusing on listening to women’s fears and challenges while involving their families in the process. “We aim to create strong family units that respect one another and work together harmoniously, fostering a safe environment free from violence.”

Reflecting on her journey with RWN, Goretti stated, “It’s obvious; you can tell from looking at us – we are proud of ourselves.” This sentiment encapsulates the transformative power of the programmes offered by Trocaire and RWN, as they help women reclaim their voices and roles within their communities.