The Rwanda Global Diversity contest at Olympic Hotel united aspiring models, parents, fashion investors, and various stakeholders to celebrate creativity and empower women.
18 young women competed in front of a panel of judges across two rounds. The first round highlighted casual wear presentations, while the second round dazzled the audience with elegant gowns.
Votes from the audience and scores from the three-member judging panel determined the progression. 5 contestants who were audience favorites joined 10 others to form the group of 15 finalists.
Diane Ingabire, who advanced through audience votes, shared her motivation: “I always admired this contest and felt I should participate to showcase my talent. Believing in myself, I thought, let me give this a try.”
Ingabire mentioned the contest’s mission, which focuses on empowering women and young girls, particularly under this year’s theme. She emphasized that it is a unique platform for nurturing her abilities and talents.
Another finalist, Kellia Irakoze, credited her success to self-confidence. “Believing in myself has always been my strength. It’s something I practice every day,” she remarked proudly.
Irakoze expressed gratitude to the organizers for equipping participants with invaluable training and boosting their confidence. “Apart from competing, we gain essential life lessons,” she noted.
Paulette Ndekwe, one of the event organizers, shared with Inyarwanda.com, “We aim to create a platform that empowers girls. Modeling is one pathway, but we want them to understand their greater potential to lead, innovate, and make lasting impacts in society.”
The top prize includes RWF 1.5 million and financial support to represent Rwanda in international competitions.
Awards are also prepared for distinguished performers across categories, alongside specialized training in leadership, technology, and soft skills development.
In the first round, contestants demonstrated their fashion flair in casual attire, impressing the judging panel.
The second round featured dazzling appearances in glamorous gowns.
The 15 finalists were announced, each showing remarkable potential.
