Empowering women economically can play a vital role in checking the violence against women. This was said yesterday by the Speaker of Parliament, Rose Mukantabana during her opening remarks at the Forum for Rwanda Women Parliamentarians (FRWP) in Kigali.

The meeting brought together senators, female parliamentarians and representatives from various organizations that fight GBV including the National Police, Gender Monitoring Office among other delegates.

Mukantabana urged policy makers and government partners to strengthen their efforts towards empowering women economically as a means of eliminating Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

"Our country involves women in the decision making process and this has made Rwanda exemplary to other nations. Since we are all leaders in one way or another we must be the voice of the voiceless and advocate for their rights in all aspects including the economic facet.”

The Speaker highlighted poverty as one of the core causes of GBV. She emphasized that women in leadership positions should ensure that every woman’s economic status is uplifted.

"Most causes of GBV are fuelled by poverty and our first step to curb the vice should be poverty eradication,” she added calling for the good management of the women’s savings schemes for women liberation from poverty.

During presentations, the stakeholders tackled relevant topics that included maternal and child health, women in business, population in relation to development and officials attested that recommendations will guide the partners in policy implementation.

Maximilien Usengumuremyi, a development planning specialist in the finance ministry, stunned participants when he revealed that 64.8 percent women participate in the whole agricultural process including harvesting, but only 14.8 percent access the finances.

According to police, illiteracy; drunkard-ness and poor communication amongst spouses are among the common causes of GBV.

Affiliated to the parliament, FRWP was established in 1996 with a vision of uniting the society and showcasing equity between men and women.

Currently, female in Rwanda form the majority of the Lower Chamber of Parliament with 56.2 percent.

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