News Roundup: Week of September 26

We’re sharing the latest news out of Rwanda, plus updates and ongoings at the Akilah Institute. Here’s what you need to know this week!

The latest news from Rwanda

President Paul Kagame attended the United Nations’ 71st General Assembly in New York to discuss the role of women’s empowerment in national and international development and to showcase Rwanda’s impressive results. “One way has been to invest in school, health and activities that will empower women and enable them to do things that benefit them. They have to be able to contribute to decisions that affect themselves and the whole country,” President Kagame noted.

First Lady Jeannette Kagame co-hosted a reception with Bloomberg Philanthropies to discuss and highlight ‘Innovative Partnerships for Women in Africa.’ The event brought together the First Ladies of Benin, Chad, Israel, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Namibia and Akilah’s very own Executive Director Karen Sherman, and focused on female economic empowerment through partnerships between the public sector and philanthropists.

Akilah Institute Executive Director (2nd from right) at the ‘Innovative Partnerships for Women in Africa’ event

Last weekend, Rwandans from all over the world gathered in San Francisco to celebrate Rwanda Cultural Day. Showcasing and celebrating Rwanda’s cultural heritage, the event featured traditional artists, popular musicians including Teta Diane and King James, and showcased Rwandan art, jewelry and culture. President Paul Kagame attended the event to join in the celebrations with thousands of fellow Rwandans.

The latest news from Akilah’s campus

Akilah has joined the HeForShe movement! Last week, #HeForShe launched the female entrepreneurs mapping report in Rwanda to engage the private sector in women’s empowerment through entrepreneurship. Read about Akilah’s involvement and the campaign launch organized by UN Women, Rwanda’s Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion), and the Private Sector Federation’s Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs.

Sakina Usengimana ’17 speaking at the HeForShe event in Rwanda