The Launch of a Career in Film for 100 Young Women
I am overjoyed to be a girl doing videography in Rwanda,” says 23-year-old Muhorakeye Peace Florence. She was one of the 100 young women awarded certificates of completion in May 2024 at the Nyiramubande Women in Cinema ceremony. It was hosted by the Kigali-based non-governmental organization IWACU IN AFRICA in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
“I saw a link inviting applications from those interested in videography, acting, directing, and editing. I was extremely interested because it was my passion,” says Florence. “I applied, was interviewed, and got a call-back to begin the program.”
It's a Wrap
The ceremony marked the successful conclusion of the Foundation’s year-long partnership with IWACU IN AFRICA on its Nyiramubande Women in Cinema project. It began in May 2023, consecutively training four cohorts of 25 aspiring young women in essential skills for filmmaking, including scriptwriting, videography, directing, editing, acting, and entrepreneurship.
IWACU IN AFRICA was founded in 2018 to realize its founders' vision of enabling women and youth to enter and contribute to the creative industries through access to dignified and fulfilling work. Since then, they have trained over 700 young people through various projects, allowing many to access permanent and freelance employment. Among its other initiatives, the Nyiramubande Women in Cinema project aimed specifically to address gender disparity in employment opportunities in the film industry.
“Women’s voices are not amplified. They are frequently overlooked and portrayed as incapable,” says Divine Uwamahoro, IWACU IN AFRICA’s CEO and co-founder. “We introduced this project to demonstrate that young women are capable and have an impact on the film industry.”
Inspiring Change: Divine Uwamahoro, CEO of IWACU IN AFRICA, speaks to graduates
Divine explains that Nyiramubande translates as “echo,” a metaphor for the reverberating impact of women whose voices in the film industry have traditionally been diminished and dismissed.
It's a Blockbuster
With the Foundation’s support, IWACU IN AFRICA fast-tracked training for the program participants. It was conducted in Kigali, with 50 percent of the trainees from in and around the city, and in Rwamagana, with the other 50 percent of the young women from that district in Rwanda’s Eastern Province. Each cohort benefited from an intensive two-month training period before being placed in partner organizations for internships, using their co-creation spaces and gaining practical experience in the field.
All participants successfully graduated, and at the time of reporting for this article, 52 had gained employment, with 32 earning salaries and 20 earning wages. An external consultant's final project evaluation report concludes: “Through the provision of essential skills and the creation of a nurturing learning environment, the project has effectively facilitated the personal and professional growth of its participants while advancing gender equality within the creative sector.”
Speaking at the May graduation ceremony, Divine said, “The industry is not just for men. It extends to women.” She closed with gratitude and optimism, telling the graduates: “Thank you for your hard work and for making us and yourselves proud. You make films that are shown at festivals. You’re showing us that it’s possible, and it is!”
