On March 8, 2025, the embassies of Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, the Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Zambia in Sweden, represented by their female ambassadors, participated in the International Women’s Day celebrations organized by the Rwandan Women’s Association in Sweden.
The ambassadors were accompanied by their deputies and diaspora communities, joining their Rwandan counterpart, Ambassador Dr. Diane Gashumba, as well as Rwandans residing in Sweden and others from Denmark.
This year’s International Women’s Day brought together approximately 400 members of the African diaspora and their Swedish friends. The event also attracted entrepreneurs and other partners.
The celebration combined entertainment with educational discussions, particularly for the youth. These discussions were led by ambassadors and experts from the Karolinska Institute, Health Clinic, Posithiva Gruppen (which supports people living with HIV/AIDS), the International Vaccine Institute (a vaccine research organization), and Gilead (a pharmaceutical company).
Additionally, Health Clinic facilitated voluntary medical screenings for various diseases.
Rwandan filmmaker Eric Kabera gave a presentation on his films, which highlight women’s rights, and showcased Rwanda’s progress in promoting gender equality.
Anna Agaba, President of RWAS, expressed pride in Rwanda’s leadership for its continuous support of national development, particularly in empowering women.
Among Rwanda’s friends in attendance were Sweden’s Ombudsman Lars Arrhenius and CJ Westring, an entrepreneur involved in education initiatives and projects in Rwanda.
Ophelia Malala Hanyaama, known for her work supporting people living with HIV/AIDS, announced plans to produce a film in Rwanda in collaboration with other film experts.
Ambassador Dr. Gashumba and her fellow ambassadors shared insights on their respective countries’ progress, particularly in advancing gender equality.
The event also featured performances by two cultural groups: a children’s troupe established by RWAS and Rwandan parents in Sweden, as well as the Amasimbi group for adults.
The celebrations concluded with a concert featuring Rwandan artist Chris Eazy, Ugandan singer Diana Spice, and Zimbabwean musician Miriam Mandipira.
