Association Internationale de Maires Francophones (AIMF), a grouping of Mayors of French-speaking cities had supported the construction of 15 health centres and two maternity wards in Kigali, Rusizi and Rubavu cities.

The facilities will cater for an estimated 85,000 people, AIMF ahead of its 41st General Assembly due to be hosted by Rwanda from July 18 to July 22.

The hybrid conference will bring together over 200 participants from 30 countries.

The US$1 million health facilities are set to improve maternal and reproductive health for women and youth.

The facilities are also set to provide family planning services.

"All the projects come from the wishes of the cities and AIMF finances them," said Pierre Baillet, the Permanent Secretary at AIMF.

He said that the association has also supported agriculture cooperatives in Rubavu district, education and sports sectors.

 During the General Assembly, he added, the mayors will also vote other projects worth $1.5 million.

Pudence Rubingisa, the mayor of Kigali City, said that the conference will discuss the role of civil society in fostering social cohesion and inclusion in urban projects.

"Civil society has been considered in the congress to ensure strategic cooperation with cities because it has proximity to population to ensure social cohesion to benefit the population," he said.

He said the cities should involve vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and disabled children in urban planning and budget planning to ensure social cohesion.

Family planning, gender equality on meeting agenda

Family planning and gender equality are among the major topics to be discussed on Monday, July 19.

According to Baillet, there are initiatives to strengthen access to family planning in cities of which experience has to be shared among the association members.

He cited the initiative to foster family planning in urban areas that was developed four years ago in partnership with AIMF and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation implemented in member cities.

"The first day of the congress will discuss health issues. Family planning is very important for women and young women. We have to fight teenage and unwanted pregnancies that often trigger school dropouts," he said.

He added that mayors will also vote declaration in favour of sexual and reproductive health and rights for women.

"We have also to fight sexual violence in AIMF members," he noted.

More secondary cities join AIMF.

AIMF was established in 1979 and Rwanda joined in 1987 initially with Kigali city.

Since then three other Rwandan cities, including Rubavu, Rusizi and Nyanza have joined the group.

The association seeks to promote a city of Tomorrow that brings sustainable and shared growth, placing people at the centre of urban projects.

During the meeting, the assembly is expected to decide the adhesion of other Rwandan secondary cities namely Muhanga, Huye, Musanze and Nyagatare to the association.