Dinah Musindarwezo

"For us girls, there were no praises, just criticism"

"As African women, we don’t have to live up to other people’s expectations. We too can question the status quo"

"I’m a human being; there isn’t any number of cows that will determine my value"

"It’s possible to question cultural practices if they don’t align with our values"

"In Rwanda, there is good political will in terms of gender equality and women’s rights thanks to the President who advances women’s rights and is a believer in gender equality."

"Actually in most countries, women wish to get half of what Rwanda has."

"When we see African Union putting women rights at the centre of their deliberations, it has taken our push and advocacy over previous years."

"Gender rights and women rights ought to be understood and implemented holistically. You cannot ask women what right to have; they should enjoy all rights, rights to their reproductive health, leadership, education, food among other rights."

"Issues of sexual reproductive health continue to be a major challenge in Africa, especially issues that regard safe abortions, where there are issues brought about by religion, patriarchy, culture among other aspects."

"We continue to see women miss out on human rights due to lack of due attention."

"We need to have men understand gender equality and cease to be oppressors and perpetrators. This will increase the involvement of human rights affairs."