U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Erica J. Barks-Ruggles honored three Rwandan women at an event held at her residence to celebrate Women’s History Month.
The three women, selected from nominations submitted by U.S. Embassy Kigali’s 40,085 Facebook fans, were recognized with the Embassy’s third annual Rwandan Women of Courage awards for their exceptional service and leadership.
“By honoring women, we show the next generation that they too can reach their dreams and change the world,” Ambassador Barks-Ruggles told representatives from the government, business, and NGO sectors who attended the reception.
Since 2007, the U.S. State Department in Washington, DC has presented International Women of Courage awards to inspiring women from around the world who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in advocating for human rights, social justice, and women’s equality and advancement.
This year, the U.S. Embassy in Kigali recognized for the third year inspiring women of Rwanda. The three winners of the U.S. Embassy’s 2017 Women of Courage award are Chantal Munanayire, Kabanyana C. Ketsia, and Gakire Jeanne Francoise.
- Chantal Munanayire is a successful businesswoman, and CEO of QUICK & C LTD, an automobile business specialized in painting. She is the first woman elected to be the President of Rwanda Garage Association. In 2014, Chantal graduated from the Peace Through Business Entrepreneurship Training Program and since then she has trained other women in entrepreneurship skill. Chantal is a Co-founder of the Mother and Childhood Development Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the socio-economic lives of low income women and children.
- Kabanyana C. Ketsia is the President and Founder of Dorcas Consolation Family (DCF), a local humanitarian NGO which aims to equip and empower vulnerable children. Through DCF, Claire has worked with sex workers, teaching them how they can abandon prostitution and join cooperatives and support their families. She has demonstrated innovation, creativity and selfless voluntary service to the community at large.
- Gakire Jeanne Francoise is a laboratory agent at Cyakabiri Medical Center (Muhanga) for more than twenty years. She is a great example to us all that physical disability does not define one’s abilities to be successful. Her leadership and intellectually rigorous work have set an good example to the community, that demonstrates to the community the strength and capability of those with disabilities, helping to change societal perceptions of people with disability.
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