In the misty hills of Rutsiro, 145 kilometers west of Kigali, the morning wind sweeps across the slopes like an invisible drumbeat. Amid this mountainous landscape, the hum of bees mingles with the chatter of women tending to their hives. Emilienne Mukasine, a 55-year-old beekeeper, is the president of the Cooperative of Volunteers for the Environment and Development (COVED), which unites 54 local women. Moving carefully between the hives, she lifts the lids to inspect the honeycomb cells, while nearby, other women clean the frames and check on the queen bees. Mrs. Mukasine explains: “In the past, people said beekeeping was a man’s job.”
Once excluded from beekeeping, women are now transforming the practice into a powerful engine for climate resilience, ecological restoration, and economic empowerment.
Mrs. Mukasine’s journey, fueled by her passion for honey, began in 2007 with just two hives gifted by her husband. Using the income from her early honey sales, she gradually expanded and became a professional beekeeper. Today, she owns five hives of her own and serves as an inspiration to other women who have joined her in honey production. She recalls how, in the beginning, men mocked their efforts, believing beekeeping was not a woman’s job.
The women’s determination soon caught the attention of partners and local authorities, who responded by providing modern hives and training in advanced beekeeping techniques. This support enabled the women to organize themselves into a honey production cooperative. Through the training, they also learned how to identify nectar-rich plants, harvest honey carefully to avoid stressing the bee colonies, and document their practices to share knowledge. Four years after the cooperative’s establishment, Mrs. Mukasine proudly notes that their honey yield has tripled—from 5 to 15 liters per hive.
Emeritha Mukagatare, a beekeeper and member of COVED, explains that in a favorable season, a modern hive can produce between 40 and 45 kilograms of honey every two weeks—amounting to as much as 80 kilograms per month. At 5,000 Congolese francs (about $3.50) per kilogram, she earns roughly $225 monthly. With this income, she has purchased livestock and covered health insurance costs, while saving the remainder to support her children’s education.
The COVED cooperative owns around 100 hives—both traditional and modern—that complement each other. The harvested honey is sold, and the generated income is presented to the members during a meeting. Part of the funds is used to meet collectively identified needs, while the rest is shared among the members. Additionally, those who own personal hives outside the cooperative also sell their honey and earn individual income.
Beekeeping has empowered women to boost their financial independence by actively contributing to household expenses, leading to a profound shift in family dynamics. According to them, they are now respected and have a stronger voice in household decision-making. Ms. Mukagatare confirms: “This activity has restored our value in society.”
Emmanuel Uwizeyimana, the vice mayor in charge of economic development in Rutsiro district, says the installation of hives in reforested areas has helped regenerate local flora through pollination. Mr. Uwizeyimana notes: “These women have succeeded in linking the local economy, nature conservation, and gender equality in a single project.”
Rutsiro Honey Ltd is a local company that buys honey from women’s cooperatives in Rutsiro. Marie Chantal Nyirakamineza is the director and also the president of the Union of Beekeeping Cooperatives of Gishwati (UNICOAPIGI). Ms. Nyirakamineza says the cooperative’s honey now exports well. The company has launched derivative products such as honey wine, cosmetic oils, and more.
The success of the women of Rutsiro has changed the way people see women beekeepers. In neighboring areas, mixed cooperatives have emerged. The district now has more than 25. Mrs. Mukasine concludes by saying that what they have planted here is more than just honey. Tomorrow, they will make history—a story where nature, mutual support, and empowerment come together for the future.
