The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Africa Regional Director Bunmi Makinwa has said that for a country to achieve its development more investment in education of women and empowerment is vital.

The South African based official was speaking after paying a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rosemary Museminali.

Makinwa observed that issues relating to marginalisation of women needed to be tackled in order to provide further women empowerment.

"In response to the prevailing global financial crisis, it’s very important to invest in women. Rwanda is a model in women empowerment but there is need to formulate more policies that would ensure more women are empowered.”

Makinwa added that emphasis in women advancement would greatly contribute to a country’s overall development and progress. He noted that women education was equivalent to education of a nation.

Makinwa hailed the country’s existing family planning strategies saying that development is directly affected by a growing population.

"No matter the development progress of any country, it’s crucial that it’s able to provide for its population. If a country does not plan for its population, then it’s definitely going to face problems.”

Makinwa noted that the country has made significant progress in delivering as ‘One UN’ since the signing of One UN concept in April 2007.

"Rwanda is one of the pilot countries applying the new UN framework and has achieved considerable success in efficiency and effectiveness.”

Under the concept, UN agencies work closely and jointly as one in order to improve the impact, coherence, efficiency and positioning of the UN system in Rwanda.

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