The First Lady Jeannette Kagame has praised women and men who sacrificed all to liberate Rwanda two decades ago.

Mrs Kagame was speaking on Tuesday during a dinner gala hosted for the delegates who are attending the ongoing four-day Women in Parliament Global Forum in Kigali.

About 150 delegates from 51 countries are in attendance.

The Forum came at a time when Rwanda is observing three months of mourning for the more than a million victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, a period which ends this week with the celebrations to mark the country’s 20th liberation anniversary.

"As we come out of the 100 days of mourning, we salute the women who shouldered an immense burden during this most tragic time of our history, enduring horrors that would shake any human being to the core,” said Mrs Kagame.

She told the delegates that the current mood countrywide is punctuated by a sense of gratitude to the Rwandan sons and daughters who stopped the genocide two decades ago.

"We hold our liberation process and those that led it in high regard, we are conscious of the price they had to pay. Their sacrifice is warm in our veins,” she said.

She further pointed out that as the world watched on television, these brave men and women stopped to look fear in the face and fought evil with purpose and passion. 

"They refused to close their eyes and hearts to the worst form of human cruelty a people can face.  We would be remiss if we did not pay tribute to our defence forces as we celebrate the 20th liberation.

"These valiant men and women in uniform continue to be part and parcel of Rwanda’s development. They have truly surpassed our expectations by not only protecting civilians, but also providing practical solutions to daily problems,” added Mrs Kagame.

For instance, she said, they introduced the annual ‘Army Week’ initiative. "They build schools, homes for survivors of the Genocide, health centres and they provide medical care for communities.”

"They have participated in peacekeeping missions in Africa and beyond, where they help women make energy-saving stoves to limit their visits to the bushes in search of firewood, risking rape and death. They have held the Rwandan flag high,” she said.

The First Lady pointed out that the Rwanda National Police has also played a pivotal role in the campaign to end violence against women and girls in Rwanda, and hosts the Africa Centre for Security Organs to end violence against women and girls, mobilising an unprecedented 32 African countries against the vice.

She, however, expressed optimism in the ability of women to lead saying that in the last few centuries, under the exclusive leadership of men the world witnessed two world wars; several genocides; the rise of terrorism; a world dictated by the scramble for scarce resources, and the advancement of strategic interests at the expense of human dignity.

"While we are not going to pretend that women can fix all the problems, I believe we can make a difference, at this tipping point. Some would argue that people only respond to economic incentives and force. As women we dream of a world where soft power: aspects such as values, culture, innovation can be compatible with the responsible quest for global influence and wealth creation,” she said.

Mrs Kagame challenged Women in Parliaments, by asking them if they will indeed have a legacy to leave for the next generations.

"Will you be remembered as the generation of global women leaders that used its power to reach out to the often forgotten? Are you ready to protect and sustain the gains women have made... will you be a legend?” she questioned.

At the same gala, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, praised the courage of Rwandan women in rebuilding their nation saying that it is inspiring to see young women being so enthusiastic about the future of their country.

"I want to salute the indomitable spirit of the Rwandan people, not many people can go through what they experienced and 20 years on you find a city like Kigali. What you see in Kigali is all new which tells much about the determination and focus of this country,” she said.

She added that today Rwanda is an example of how when human potential is effectively used you can achieve everything.

"If you invest in your people, they will figure out the rest but if you have a country with oil and minerals but you don’t invest in your people someone will come and figure out what to do with your wealth and take it away,” she said.

The founder Women in Parliaments Global Forum (WIP), Silvana Koch-Mehrin, also paid tribute to Rwandans for having had the strength to move forward and rebuild a nation that was once totally broken.

"Seeing what Rwanda is today is not just an impression but a massage that we should not lose hope in what people are able to do,” she said.

The colourful dinner gala was characterised by cultural dances, and inspirational and symphonic poems.