Women’s Forum discusses stake in ICGLR

Women often bear the brunt of conflicts and poverty in their societies. Even when they represent more than 50 percent of their populations; they are marginalized being at the receiving end of societal ills. A reason for women representing the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR); to meet here in Kigali, to discuss their meaningful participation in the regional body. The women who represent a cross section of society from the 11 member states, have among them; Members of Parliament, Senators, government representatives, international NGO’s and gender activists. The Transitional Committee of the Regional Women’s Forum, meets to ponder ways of making the dream of a fully institutionalized Regional Women’s Forum a reality. Among some of the issues that have been seen lacking in the regional body, include the omission of gender issues in planning processes, especially in budgeting, as well as decision-making at national and regional levels.