How can women leaders help transform society?

Women leaders from around the world will next month converge in Kigali for a summit to deliberate how best they can transform their societies. The summit, organised by the Women in Parliament, will be held under the theme, “The Spirit of Women in Parliaments: Advancing Society,” from July 1 to 3rd. Speaking at a media briefing in the Senate Plenary Hall yesterday, Jeanne d’Arc Gakuba, Senate’s vice-president, said the summit will be a great opportunity for Rwanda to share its experience in women’s economic, social and political empowerment. “This will be a platform to showcase first-hand insights into the impact of female participation and representation on societal transformation,” Gakuba said. The Switzerland-based Women in Parliaments (WIP) is an international and non-partisan foundation established to advance society through building a network among women in parliaments, as well as using collective strength and ability to find ways to address global challenges. During the November 2013 Annual Summit of WIP at the European Parliament in Brussels, Rwanda scooped the WIP Award for Leadership in closing the gender gap. Vice-President of Chamber of Deputies Jeanne d’Arc Uwimanimpaye said Rwanda’s political choice of empowering women has been vital in social transformation. “Twenty years ago, Rwanda was considered a failed State,” she said. The gender composition Women constitute 64 per cent of members in the Lower House, 38 per cent senators and 41 per cent cabinet members. Also, women make up 40 per cent of provincial governors and 40 per cent of judges are women. “Results of women’s political representation and participation are visible and definitely,” Uwimanimpaye said. The three-day summit will involve an interactive plenary, a documentary film on Rwanda’s achievements in women’s empowerment and field visits across the country as an opportunity to showcase the reality on the ground in relation to women’s empowerment and Rwanda’s recovery and achievements following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Public officials, prominent women leaders, lawmakers, and diplomats are expected to attend. Other participants will include representatives of local and regional women’s groups, business leaders, as well as those of international organisations, and civil society leaders. The summit participants will also take part in the official celebrations of the 20th anniversary of Rwanda Liberation.

National

How can women leaders help transform society?