Source: The New Times
It is often said that educating the girl child is equal to educating a nation. In most developing countries, Rwanda included, the girl child, has historically had a raw deal in regard to access to education.

This is derived from a traditional society based on patriarchy, where girls were expected to be married off and live a life of home makers. It goes without saying that not much was expected from the girl child in as far as playing a leadership role in society is concerned.

Rwanda has over the last few years moved to debunk this notion of the girl child being undeserving of accessing higher education opportunities.

A number of institutions, both state and non state actors, have played a pivotal role in ensuring that the girl child is given an equal chance as boys to access education and compete.

Opportunities have been availed to girls to pursue higher education at well regarded institutions of higher learning and have returned to make significant contribution to the process of national development. Recently, a some girls were awarded scholarships under the Open A Door, non profit organization to pursue higher education in the US.

They follow in the footsteps of many other Rwandan girls who have been availed opportunities which they have seized and put to good use.

In almost all offices and sectors in the country, one meets poised and hardworking young ladies of substance who are part of the vanguard of national transformation. The success that is the many that have made it is a vindication of these great efforts.

But more needs to be done. It is important that stakeholders explore more opportunities for the girl child's higher education especially those highly intelligent yet underprivileged.

• Rwanda