Meet Lydia Busingye, Sexual Abuse Survivor Turnes Leader and Role Model
“The Rwanda Women Leadership Institute program, reignited my dream of becoming a leader and a mentor and gave me tools. I am now dreaming to be a role model, a source of health and wealth in my country and worldwide”
—Lydia Busingye
Meet the inspiring Lydia Busingye. At the age of 13, Lydia was kidnapped and subject to sexual abuse. This tragedy left her with low self-esteem, shame and resentment, causing her to desert her dream of becoming a leader and decision maker someday.
Thankfully, Lydia didn’t give up. On her path to recovery, she found inspiration and motivation in the stories of women leaders like Minister Louise Mushikiwabo, the late Minister Aloisea Inyumba, Joyce Meyer and Oprah Winfrey. Their resilience, that led to their achievements, gave her strength and encouraged her to seek for more. She once again had the courage to dream of becoming a role model to women and girls, just like them. She just needed the tools.
That is when she joined the ‘Rwanda Women Leadership Institute program’, run by Rwanda Women’s Network and the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion. A program that equips women with knowledge and tools to become leaders and equal contributors to change and development in their communities.
During the program, Lydia was especially inspired by how women can support one another in pursuing their dreams. “I learned that if you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far, go together” Lydia says. ”Working together, women have the capacity to be leaders that can contribute to meaningful change and development in society”.
After the program, Lydia decided to take these tools and use her story as a way to educate girls on Gender Based Violence and their rights. She is focused on helping build their confidence, through education, self-love and community.
“My hope is that in sharing with other women and girls, I can help them protect themselves and address abuse as well as motivate them to be agents of change in their respective communities.”
Rwanda is commended globally for its gender sensitive policies and the highest Parliamentary representation of women (64%) in the world. We are proud that Rwanda Women’s Network work on leadership and advocacy is contributing to this meaningful transformation - making it a reality.
Rwanda Women Leadership Institute
In collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, this program is designed to promote women’s’ rights and gender equality. The program lays out the importance of women playing active roles in influencing change and giving them tools to do so. We are inspiring women to make their challenges a catalyst for positive transformation at a personal, community and national level. #BeBoldForChange.
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