Rwandan Writers Berwadushime and Kayitesi Honored at Women Book Awards 2026

Two Rwandan writers, Lise Nova Berwadushime and Judence Kayitesi, were celebrated on Friday, May 6, 2026, at the inaugural Women Book Awards in Rwanda, an event honoring women driving the country’s literary and publishing scene.

Berwadushime and Kayitesi are both members of Writers Space Africa–Rwanda (WSA-R), a community of writers and literary creatives in the country.

Berwadushime received the Emerging Talent Award, recognizing her rising voice in creative writing, while Kayitesi was awarded the Woman in Publishing Leader Award for her work advancing books, literacy, and storytelling through her publishing house, Inzozi Publishers. Fellow writer Olga Colombe Nyamoinga, also a member of WSA-R, was nominated for an award at the ceremony.

The awards were organized by Arise Education and partners, with support from institutions including the Rwanda Basic Education Board. Organizers said the ceremony was the first of its kind held in Rwanda, bringing together writers, publishers, teachers, and literacy advocates in a night dedicated to celebrating women’s contributions to books and reading.

Other honors handed out on the night included recognition for a young author advancing children’s storytelling and a community change award for expanding access to books in underserved areas, reflecting the range of women’s work across writing, publishing, and literacy advocacy that organizers set out to celebrate.

Speaking after the ceremony, Berwadushime described the recognition as a turning point in her career.

“Receiving the Emerging Talent category at the Women Books Award 2026 was a profound honor,” she said. “Winning this category showed me that my work is truly needed. I know many more achievements lie ahead on this journey, yet, I will always cherish that very first award.”

Kayitesi founded Inzozi Publishers, a Germany-based publishing house dedicated to amplifying Rwandan voices, with a particular focus on survivor accounts of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The house’s mission centers on preserving that history through literature while publishing across a range of genres, to ensure these stories reach readers worldwide.

Organizers and supporters said the recognition reflects a broader effort to encourage more women and young writers to pursue careers in literature and publishing across Rwanda.