Rwanda has been asked to become an active member  of the African Forum on Population and Development.

Highvie Hambulo Hamududu, the head of the Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development in Zambia, announced this after a meeting with Speaker Donatille Mukabalisa, in Kigali, yesterday.

The role of the forum is to coordinate action in support with Members of Parliament to assist in implementing population policies and harmonisation of African legislation on sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The forum was formed in 2015.

Hamududu noted that economic growth and development and population are linked because economic growth alone doesn’t improve the lives of the people.

"We must see people get better as the economy grows,” said Hamududu.

Member countries include Chad, Malawi, Zambia, Cape Verde and Sierra Leone.

Speaker Mukabalisa, said, "We are going to sit and see what Rwanda can do with other African countries in that area.”

She noted that Rwanda was glad to be invited to work with other African countries for the betterment of youth, and to share with other countries its development experiences.

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