Having founded my own business at the age of 15, I understand all too well the challenges encountered by entrepreneurs, which are even greater for women who continue to lag behind men when it comes to gender equality in the workplace. We are addressing this issue by employing over 60% women at the Mara Phones factories in Rwanda and South Africa.

It is time women and girls spoke out about their daily struggles. It is time to claim our rights and those of our daughters and granddaughters, to dignity, health, and education. It is time for the world to step up. Thankfully, we are now beginning to see change.

When the world invests in girls and women, there’s a ripple effect and everybody wins. We must invest in gender equality and the health and rights of girls and women because it’s the right thing to do, and because it’s the sound thing to do.

I have always insisted that a bird cannot fly with one wing. Likewise, no nation, community or institution can reach its full potential as long as women are marginalized.

In situations of conflict, women should not just be seen as victims. They must be present throughout the process of mediation, resolution and post-conflict reconstruction. We need women in the army and the police as peacekeepers. In the same way, we must ensure that women are present at all levels of governance. In all fields, agriculture, business, politics, we must see women leaders.

The debate is not about women’s role or whether they should be empowered or not. That is a given. Ensuring gender equality is not just a moral issue, it is a rights issue and it is a shared responsibility that concerns every member of our society. We have always regarded the equal participation of women in all aspects of national life, including the liberation struggle, as an indispensable contribution to the socio-economic transformation of our country.