This innovative initiative aims to bridge the financial inclusion gap and empower women entrepreneurs, fostering sustainable business growth and economic independence.
Mireille Umwali, the Board Director at MUA Insurance, expressed her pride and excitement over this milestone. "I've been part of the MUA family for over four years now, and witnessing the company's growth has been incredible. Today, I am especially delighted because of this project,' she said.
"When you hear 'MUA Femme,' I want you to think of it as 'MUA For Me.' It's about personal empowerment and ensuring that every woman secures her future through this innovative product," she added.
Umwali emphasized the urgency of addressing the disparity between men and women in business participation, which had in the recent past few years been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"There's been a huge gap in economic participation, but with MUA Femme, we aim to close that gap and foster greater financial inclusion. Our vision at MUA is to provide innovative financial and insurance solutions, and this product aligns perfectly with that mission. I have no doubt that it will propel women to the next level of business success," she added.
She further challenged MUA to increase the proportion of women clients to align with the government's commitment to gender equality.
"Rwanda has made tremendous strides in gender representation, with women holding 61.75% of parliamentary seats. Yet, only 40% of MUA's clients are women. We need to push that number up by 20%, ensuring that women are equally represented in all areas," Umwali asserted.
Aretha Rwagasore, the Executive Director of Le Village de la Femme, shared her enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the impact it will have on women entrepreneurs.
"Le Village de la Femme began as a platform for women and has grown into a robust organization supporting women entrepreneurs. We provide business skills training, one-on-one mentorship, and facilitate access to finance. Today, we are proud to partner with MUA on this initiative," she said.
Through this collaboration, Le Village de la Femme and MUA will work with 50 women entrepreneurs from diverse sectors. These women will undergo a three-month Empower program designed to equip them with the skills and resources to access financial institutions confidently.
"This partnership is not just corporate social responsibility; it's about creating tangible change at a corporate level. The Empower program will give these women the tools they need to approach banks for loans and to secure their business assets through MUA," Rwagasore explained.
Jovia Mutesi, the proprietor of Jov Creations Ltd and a member of Le Village de la Femme, reflected on her entrepreneurial journey and the significance of this new collaboration.
"Nine years ago, I started as an individual, but today, we have grown into a reputable organization dedicated to the continuous development of women. The training we've received from Le Village de la Femme has been invaluable, and we look forward to strengthening our collaboration through this partnership with MUA," she proudly said.
The launch of MUA Femme is a testament to MUA's commitment to supporting women's economic empowerment by addressing the challenges women face in accessing financial services and providing tailored solutions.
Through strategic collaborations and innovative products like MUA Femme, women are not only securing their futures but also shaping a more inclusive and equitable society for generations to come.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/mua-launches-mua-femme-in-partnership-with-le-village-de-la-femme
