Jambonews
March 15th, 2011
On the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of the International Women’s Day, a prize named “Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza for Democracy and Peace” was inaugurated on Saturday, March 12, 2011 in Montreal , Canada by the International Network of Women for Democracy and Peace (IWNDP, aslo known by its French acronym, RifDP).
The trophy was presented at an evening “family function” especially organized for the occasion by the Canada branch of the network which brought together around ninety people, Canadians but also and mostly members of the Rwandan communities in Montreal and Ottawa , all generations included.
Upon introductory merry entertaining board games for children and adults, participants were invited to participate in a “match-making” which consists of inviting strangers to come together in pairs in order to get acquainted.
Following such moments of fun, the coordinator of the Canada section of IWNDP, Madame Perpetua Muramutse, came to the point of the gathering: “we’re gathering around our struggle for democracy and peace” and added that in this context “it is unthinkable to forget Victoire Ingabire who returned to Rwanda to lead this struggle and now is imprisoned there.”
One after another, six women presented an overview of Victoire Ingabire’s achievements.
It was a real warm tribute to which the public assisted with two words in shading of each intervention: the courage of Victoire Ingabire and her sense of leadership.
Ms. Muramutse concluded this vibrant tribute: “it is with regard to these strong achievements that we felt that Victoire Ingabire deserved an award in her honor” she said, before revealing the trophy with loud applause from the public.
“From now on, this award will honor each year everyone who will thrive as part of the struggle for democracy and peace in Africa” she said, before announcing the imminent setting up of a jury.
The gathering continued with the theme “Women in Quebec and leadership” with the speeches from two women, one who is entrepreneur, and another one who is responsible for an organization that specializes in integration of migrants. The two women shared their experiences at the meeting.
It is in the emotion that the day ended with the theme “Tribute to Women of the challenges of our community.”
Many women, mostly widows from the atrocities committed in the African Great Lakes Region, received public praise from their children.
Indeed, that was the centenary celebration of the International Women’s day that nobody is ought to forget.
Transalated by Amani Tuyishime
Original french version by Ruhumuza Mbonyumutwa
JamboNews.net
Click here for the interview of Victoire Ingabire’s daughter with Jambonews TV (JNTV).
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