Women MPs forum urged on socio-economic devt

The newly-elected committee of the Rwanda Women Parliamentarians Forum has been urged to work hard with members of the forum for social and economic development of Rwandan society.The call was made yesterday by Donatille Mukabalisa, the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, during a two-day meeting that brought together members of the Rwanda Women Parliamentarians Forum (FFRP), in Musanze District.Mukabalisa said although women parliamentarians have played a core role in development and fight against gender inequality among Rwandans there remains a lot to be done.She cited gender based violence among the challenges MPs should work with other institutions to tackle.“We have achieved a lot in terms of socio-economic development but we still have some challenges, we need to fight gender based violence and poverty which are still rife in our society,” she said.“We need to promote quality education for our children and train them to be more patriotic. Our children need to be taught the dangers of drug abuse and other vices… it is our duty to fix it,” Mukabalisa said.New committeeDuring the same meeting, MP Ignatienne Nyirarukundo, who was the chairperson of capacity building in the outgoing committee, was elected the new chairperson of Rwanda Women Parliamentarians Forum (FFRP).She pledged to work closely with the new committee members to ensure drastic improvement of social welfare of Rwandans, especially women.She said more focus will be put on the youth because they are the pillar of development.“The youth need to be modeled into decision-makers while still young. We also need to inculcate leadership skills among girls and children, in general, at a tender age,” said Nyirarukundo.She added that women majority in parliament should not be about numbers but their ability.Other newly elected members include MP Mediatrice Izabiliza, as the vice president of the committee, Senator Margret Nyagahura as general secretary, MP Annonciata Mukarugwiza as treasurer, among others.About 60 members of both chambers, including males and females, were present, but only 43 women voted.The members said they were considering amending rules to give their male counterparts voting rights.

National

Women MPs forum urged on socio-economic devt