Internship Program Prepares 120 Young Women for Jobs and Leadership Roles

The program, launched in 2019 by the Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA) in partnership with the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) and other partners, equips recent female university graduates with practical skills and workplace experience. So far, 740 women have gone through the program.

“This internship produces results because it builds both knowledge and confidence, enabling young women to join the workforce and even run for elective positions at the local level,” said RALGA Deputy Secretary General Francine M. Rutagengwa. She noted that 25 participants from this latest cohort have already passed the written stage of public service recruitment exams.

One graduate, Niyonsaba M. Claire, who recently secured a job in Burera District, said the experience helped her understand local government operations and prepared her for recruitment tests. “I thank RALGA and the Government for this opportunity, and I encourage my peers to make the most of it,” she said.

Presiding over the closing ceremony, MIGEPROF Permanent Secretary Mireille Batamuliza called on the graduates to keep building their skills and to compete for available opportunities. “Be proud of what you have achieved, but continue learning, maintain good conduct, seize opportunities and contribute to your communities,” she told them.

The event also connected graduates with potential employers and partners, including the Business Development Fund (BDF), Bank of Kigali (BK), COPEDU, Akazi Kanoze Access and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

A recent evaluation found that 44.1% of program alumni are employed, nearly half in the public sector, with most of those working in local government. Another 16.6% have been elected to leadership positions in local entities, while many others have launched businesses or continued their studies.