“If you empower a woman, you empower the nation”

Last week we kicked off our social sabbatical in Kigali, Rwanda. To get more familiar with the organizations we’d be supporting, we had a panel discussion with the leaders — all of whom are young women leaders doing incredible things in the region.

We’ll be working with four social enterprises, helping to bring their organizations to the next level — whether that means refining pricing models, developing a communications strategy, or addressing supply chain issues. As a quick reminder, social enterprises are businesses that seek profits while doing good things for society, the environment and economy.

Here’s a quick overview of our clients:

· Starlight Africa — inspires children under 18 to pursue STEM education and careers.

· Resonate — develops workshops that empower girls and women in East Africa.

· Kosmotive — helps financially vulnerable women improve their opportunities by increasing access to free, re-usable menstrual products.

· FabLab Rwanda — provides space for its members to develop hardware and electronics products, with a special focus on Internet of Things innovation.

Helping Women and Girls Dream Big

Ariane Umuringa, a co-founder of Starlight Africa, develops workshops that introduce teenage girls to various science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers. She believes that it’s important to providing girls a space dedicated to their learning where they can develop skills and also, a support system of other women.

“Often young girls are dominated by men in school — especially in science,” Ariane said. “We show them that science is fun and show them they should have big dreams.” She reports that young girls who participated in workshops years ago are still inspired to pursue STEM careers years later and have enrolled in academic programs that will support those goals.

Liliane Nsengiyumva, who heads up partnerships at Resonate said, “Even if women have access to skills or resources, without confidence they won’t turn opportunities into action.” Her organization develops workshops that help them realize their potential to become community and business leaders.

According to Ariane, despite many advances in Rwanda for women, it’s not always easy. For example, after getting degrees in engineering and computer science, Ariane chose to become an entrepreneur. She reports that families, including hers, don’t always support the path to entrepreneurship and prefer young women to pursue careers perceived as less risky.

But with organizations like Resonate and Starlight forging a path for other young women, huge potential lies ahead. As Lillian said, “If these women become leaders and change makers, it benefits everyone. If you empower a woman, you empower the nation.”

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