KIGALI - The United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Asha Rose Migiro will pay a one day official visit to Rwanda today to take part in the Government’s International Forum on the Role of Leadership in Promoting Gender Equality that will take place in the Parliamentary buildings.

She will also witness hands on UN support to fight Gender Based Violence.

"We are delighted to receive once again Deputy Secretary General Migiro in Rwanda” said Aurélien Agbénonci, UN Resident Coordinator, "Her visit is a recognition for the tremendous achievements in Gender Equality that Rwanda has made”, he adds.

The Forum is an opportunity for regional women leaders to find solutions to problems facing the ordinary woman in their respective communities. It also offers the platform for global players to share best practices in advancing the gender agenda; and for all participants to identify obstacles to achieving Gender Equality.

"For us in the UN, gender equality is a fundamental value and a part of our very identity. We will work tirelessly with the Government and other gender advocates to push women’s rights even further in Rwanda,” Agbénonci said.

The Deputy Secretary General will also visit the UN supported Isange One Stop Center to fight Gender Based Violence at the Kigali Police Hospital. This is the first centre of its kind in Rwanda, where survivors of violence can access medical, legal and psycho-social help for free. 

It was set up with support from the United Nations, namely through UNICEF, UNIFEM and UNFPA as part of an overall strategy to prevent and mitigate violence against women and children.

"Violence against particularly women and children can never be acceptable,” Agbénonci said. "The Isange center is a part of a broad national strategy across various sectors to fight gender Based Violence in this country.”

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