Esther Mbabazi, one of Rwanda’s pioneering female pilots who started her career with the national carrier RwandAir, says aviation is a profession she grew up into. Today, she stands as a role model for many young girls who still hesitate to pursue the path of becoming pilots.
Speaking during a conference on the development of air transport, Mbabazi shared how her journey in the skies began. When asked by a journalist about her start, she said: “I joined this profession when RwandAir was on a mission to expand and to employ Rwandan pilots.”
Over the years, she has flown different types of aircraft and gained vast experience in the industry. As she proudly put it: “This is a career I grew up in, and I have gained a lot of experience from it. I have flown many aircraft. I flew Bombardier, Airbus, and now I am on Boeing.”
For Mbabazi, becoming a pilot was a childhood dream she never let go of. With determination and support, she managed to turn her dream into reality. She explained: “It was a dream I had when I was young, I pursued it, and I was also lucky enough to have the Rwandan government support me in studying aviation. I followed it through and I mastered it.”
Now, with years of experience behind her, Mbabazi sees herself as a bridge for other young women: “Today I am at the level where I can inspire and help other girls so that we can move from just one percent of female pilots to at least thirty percent in the next ten years.”
She also spoke about the challenges that continue to discourage women from joining the field. When she began, women made up only five percent of pilots globally. That figure has only slightly increased to six percent today.
“In the past, girls had no information about aviation. Everyone thought flying required physical strength. Fifty years ago, that was true. But today, planes are automated and require intelligence more than physical power,” she said.
Still, Mbabazi notes that aviation policies remain strict, especially for women. Health standards must be maintained at all times, and this sometimes creates setbacks.
“Every six months we undergo medical check-ups. If you get pregnant or face any health-related condition, women often find themselves left behind,” she added.
Through her journey, Esther Mbabazi represents not just Rwanda but also a growing movement of women determined to break barriers in the skies. Her story continues to inspire a new generation of girls across Africa and beyond, proving that dreams, when pursued with passion and resilience, can truly take flight.
Brenna AKARABO
RADIOTV10
