President Paul Kagame has drawn excitement from thousands of women gathered for an exciting exchange on rights of women in Rwanda and said that women deserve to play an important role in the development of a country.

Addressing over 3,000 women at Petit Stade, President Kagame observed that enabling women to enjoy their rights is inalienable and the right thing to do in order for development to occur.

Amidst cheers at the Meet the President session for women leaders, Kagame said that the Rwanda's independence and liberation of Rwanda was about empowering groups like women with rights that they deserve. The meeting follows a recent one meant for youth leaders.

Kagame drew cheers as he attacked sceptics who continue to preach to Rwanda, yet do not allow women in their women nations to exercise their rights to vote and to associate freely.

"We should get to that level where women empowerment becomes an ordinary way of doing thing, not only offered as a favour," he said as the gathering erupted in cheers. "A woman is not supposed to beg for her rights, she has a right to exercise such rights," he added.

President Kagame also discussed Rwanda's development, mentioning that it belongs to all Rwandans where women have a role to play.

Women working with men

During the address, Kagame outlined aspects that would help to empower women including the need to focus on the role that a woman needs to take personally.

He also mentioned the need to make men understand that what benefits a woman also benefits a man. "A poor woman also impoverishes a man," he told women who were drawn from across the country.

He singled out debates considered detrimental to development, where women may be misguided to engage into activities that counter instead of engaging men.

"Always engage in activities that engage men too," he said, and jokingly observed that women would miss his support if men were left out in the struggle to get empowered.

In an indirect reference to same sex relationship, President Kagame said that partners in such a relationship still tend to take up different roles resembling that of a man and woman which indicates the need for compatibility.

"Both men and women deserve their rights," he said.

On poverty, Kagame said that efforts should be directed at empowering women and girls to engage in developmental activities.

Particularly Kagame stressed the need to educate girls and as women also engage in entrepreneurial activities.

A fund for women

President Kagame also announced the government plan to set up a fund to support women activities directed at empowering women and girls. He said that the setting up and management of the fund would involve women as a strategy that targets the development of the nation.

"The development of an individual should be viewed as a strategy to develop the nation," he said, adding that "Rwanda developed because it gave women their deserved dignity."

"Your role gives dignity to the whole nation," he told the women, adding that the struggle to liberate a nation cannot be won when policies discriminate against women.

On Rwanda, he said the nation strives to have "all-inclusive policies" that engages and focuses on all categories of people. He however trashed attitude that does not realise the benefit of empowering women.

For me, I realise this (benefit) long time ago. Whoever wants to know this should come and ask me," he said as the crowd applauded.

He urged women to have self belief in their capability to develop and to understand the need to engage men in the struggle to empower women.

"No sustainable development is possible without women, and without men," observed.

He gave an example of developed nations that are experiencing negative development trends because of the failure to engage and empower women.

Closing his speech, President Kagame stressed that, "practicing what say and believe is what will make us dignified people and offers us dignity".

Most issues that were raised during the question and answer session concerned the right of women to have a three-month maternity leave where President Kagame said that the law is being revised. Other issues discussed included access to clean water and loans for women Muslims.