Gakenke: Women’s Council Highlights the Role of Mothers in Building Resilient and Safe Families

Gakenke, 21 August 2026 — Gakenke District hosted a General Assembly of the National Women’s Council at District level, bringing together women representatives to assess progress and strengthen their contribution to building resilient, self-reliant and safe families.

Held under the theme “The Role of Mothers in Building a Capable and Safe Family,” the assembly focused on key responsibilities and commitments of Mutimawurugo in addressing household poverty, preventing malnutrition and stunting, promoting hygiene and sanitation, reducing school dropout, preventing gender-based violence, and resolving family conflicts.

Key achievements

The assembly highlighted significant achievements made through initiatives led by the National Women’s Council in Gakenke District to strengthen women’s economic empowerment and improve household welfare.

Among the achievements, 3,871 households were linked to financial institutions, while 2,845 households started using digital financial services for deposits and withdrawals. In addition, 3,751 households have joined savings groups and use Mobile Money services for financial transactions.

To promote women’s economic independence, 476 adolescent mothers received sewing machines to support them in starting income-generating activities. Furthermore, 2,924 women and girls were mobilized to pursue vocational training and practical skills through 22 training centres, while 1,587 women started small businesses through initiatives promoted by the National Women’s Council.

The assembly also highlighted livestock support provided to women and vulnerable households, including 217 cows, 692 goats and 1,062 pigs, as part of efforts to strengthen household livelihoods and enable families to progressively move out of poverty.

In financial empowerment, 472 women were encouraged to access loans from financial institutions and demonstrated good repayment capacity, while 613 women received training in investment and job creation.

Digital financial inclusion was also highlighted, with 28,205 women trained and supported to open Mobile Money accounts, enabling them to access and use formal financial services more conveniently.

Promoting health, hygiene and family wellbeing

In the area of hygiene and sanitation, 3,478 compliant household latrines were constructed to improve sanitation and promote healthier living conditions.

Under the Sasa Neza initiative, 17,814 mattresses were distributed through 512 established groups, contributing to improved household living conditions.

The General Assembly also reviewed planned activities for Mutimawurugo, with discussions focusing on strengthening women’s role in addressing challenges affecting family wellbeing and community safety.

Participants further received awareness sessions on preventing violence within families, addressing family conflicts constructively, and preventing the use and sale of substandard alcoholic beverages, which can negatively affect household health, safety and social wellbeing.

The assembly reaffirmed the critical role of Mutimawurugo in building economically empowered, healthy, resilient and safe families, while calling for continued efforts in household economic empowerment, children’s education, hygiene and sanitation, gender equality, and family protection.