On 28 March 2026, the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in The Hague hosted an International Women’s Day gathering that brought together Rwandan women living in the diaspora in the Netherlands for reflection, dialogue and community action. Although International Women’s Day is commonly observed on 8 March, this gathering offered a timely opportunity for participants to meet at the Embassy, exchange perspectives and discuss practical ways to strengthen their well-being and contribution to community development.

The event opened with the arrival of guests, followed by welcome remarks and an opening speech delivered by RDWR representative Hilda Kamali. In her remarks, she thanked the women for their participation and stressed that the day was more than a celebration. She described it as a moment to reflect on women’s roles in the community and the nation at large, while also creating space to learn, discuss and celebrate both personal and shared achievements. That set the tone for an afternoon marked by open exchange, attentive listening and a strong sense of solidarity.

This was followed by a message from the President of the Diaspora, Claude Ndabarasa, who encouraged participants to consider including men in future editions of the event so that they could celebrate together and better understand where support is needed to help women achieve more. He then welcomed H.E. Ambassador Lambert Dushimimana, who highlighted the importance of unity and empowerment among women in the diaspora. He reflected on their contribution to the social, political and economic life of Rwanda, underlining that the role of women remains central in shaping families, communities and the country’s broader development journey.

One of the main highlights of the programme was a health awareness session on cervical cancer, presented by Emma Gakuba. Her presentation focused on prevention, early screening and raising awareness about HPV. The session encouraged women to take proactive steps to protect their health and opened the way for a wider discussion on how the community could contribute to an ongoing campaign related to cervical cancer screening and testing. The topic brought a practical and urgent dimension to the day. It moved the conversation beyond reflection alone and toward possible collective action rooted in health awareness and prevention.

The programme also included short presentations under the theme “Women in Action” and a panel discussion titled “Opening the Unspoken: A Conversation on Taboos and Truths.” The discussion was moderated by Judith Rwibutso Bagwaneza and featured Yvonne Uwizeye, Sandra Uwase and Delfine Ingabire. Guided by questions on cultural expectations, taboos and the idea of “giving to gain,” the panelists shared reflections on the sacrifices and social expectations often placed on Rwandan women. Yvonne spoke about how certain traditions have both protected and limited women. Sandra challenged norms she sees as outdated for the younger generation. Delfine contributed from the perspective of a woman and entrepreneur, speaking more broadly about identity and personal growth.

The discussion also recognised the positive changes that have taken place over time, including the greater opportunities and space available for women to thrive. Audience members actively joined the exchange by sharing their own experiences and suggesting ways to challenge limiting perspectives and reshape cultural narratives. The tone of the discussion was thoughtful and forward-looking. It ended with a shared aspiration that future generations of Rwandan women and girls should be able to live as dreamers and achievers, fully supported in their choices and without comparison to any gender.

Another important part of the event was the leadership and community dialogue, during which participants discussed the future of women’s representation and explored the idea of launching a monthly group savings initiative. This proposal was presented as a way to strengthen financial solidarity among members and encourage mutual support. The conversation also returned to the broader question of how women can contribute to the well-being of women and girls, and to family and national development more generally.

A major outcome of the gathering was the collective commitment to organise and support a cervical cancer awareness and prevention campaign. Participants expressed readiness to contribute through ideas, resources and active involvement, while also emphasising the importance of working with health institutions and relevant stakeholders to widen the initiative’s reach. As a follow-up, the President and advisor were tasked with gathering detailed information on the scope of activities and the budget required. This is expected to help members of the Rwandan women diaspora determine their financial contributions. It was also agreed that updates would be shared with all members and that a dedicated sub-account would be established to support the initiative.

The formal programme concluded with an evening networking session over dinner, offering participants an opportunity to continue informal discussions and strengthen their connections. The gathering reflected the value of diaspora engagement anchored in dialogue, solidarity and practical action. It also showed that when women come together with openness and purpose, conversation can begin to turn into shared responsibility and concrete next steps.