Musanze District Commits to Address the Shortage of Women-Friendly Facilities in Public Markets

The leadership of Musanze District has pledged to resolve the persistent shortage of women- and girl-friendly rooms in public markets, acknowledging that the lack of such essential facilities has continued to affect women’s health, dignity, and economic productivity.

This commitment follows growing concerns raised by women and girls who work in or frequently visit various markets across the district, where most trading spaces lack designated rooms to support menstrual hygiene management and basic reproductive health needs.

For many women traders, the absence of such facilities has become more than an inconvenience it directly disrupts their daily work and income. Several women report being forced to skip work during their menstrual periods due to the lack of a private, safe, and hygienic space, resulting in financial losses and emotional distress.

Unlike schools, where girls’ rooms have been established to support both students and female teachers, modern public markets many constructed by the government were designed without integrating these critical facilities, a gap women say must urgently be addressed.

Women Traders Share Daily Struggles

A trader at GOICO Market in Musanze town, identified as Alice Uwimana says the absence of a women’s room significantly affects her business and well-being.

Uwimana, who sells kitchen utensils, explains that her work requires her to be present every day, making it difficult to take time off during her menstrual cycle.

“When I am menstruating, it becomes extremely challenging because there is no designated room in this market,” she says. “Sometimes I experience severe discomfort while standing in my shop, but customers keep coming, and I am afraid to leave.”

She adds that using public toilets for personal hygiene often leads to embarrassment and discomfort.

“There are moments when you are trying to clean yourself while others are lining up to use the toilet. It is humiliating and stressful, yet we have no alternative.”

Similarly, a fruit vendor at Musanze Food Market, Beatrice Mukamana , believes that establishing women-friendly rooms would enable many women to continue working without interruption while protecting their health.

“Such a facility would help us manage our hygiene properly and work with peace of mind,” she explains. “Using shared public toilets during menstruation exposes us to health risks and unnecessary shame.”

Concern Shared Across Markets

In Byangabo Market, located in Busogo Sector, women traders echo the same concerns. Claudine Mukantabana (name changed) notes that markets are crowded public spaces and should therefore include infrastructure that responds to the specific needs of women and girls.

“We are not asking for anything extraordinary,” she says. “A women’s room is a basic requirement in any market, especially since we spend long hours here every day. Menstrual hygiene is not optional it is a necessity.”

District Leadership Responds

The Vice Mayor of Musanze District in charge of Social Affairs, Théobard Kayiranga, has acknowledged the challenge, admitting that most markets in the district were built without considering women-friendly facilities.

“It is true that nearly all markets in our district lack designated rooms for women and girls,” he said. “Yet this is an essential service that supports women’s health and enables them to work comfortably and confidently.”

Kayiranga emphasized that the district is now committed to addressing this gap through consultations with market management committees and future infrastructure planning.

“We are going to engage with market leaders to explore how women’s rooms can be established,” he added. “Just as we now ensure infrastructure is accessible to people with disabilities, women-friendly facilities must also be prioritized.”

Women and girls who work in and depend on Musanze’s markets are calling for swift implementation of these commitments, stressing that safe and inclusive markets are key to protecting their rights, health, and economic participation.

They believe that integrating women-friendly rooms into market infrastructure will not only restore dignity but also strengthen productivity and inclusivity across the district’s commercial spaces.