MP Mukabalisa shares Rwanda's gender equality experience at key forum

Germaine Mukabalisa, a member of the Rwandan Parliament, on Saturday, September 13, spoke to members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Lima, Peru, highlighting Rwanda’s achievements in gender equality during her official visit. ALSO READ: Gender Equality Seal upgraded to national standard to drive workplace inclusion Rwanda stands out globally for its gender-equal representation, with women holding a majority in parliament: 63.75 percent in the Chamber of Deputies and 53.8 percent in the Senate. Rwanda views gender equality not just as a human rights issue, but as a strategic pillar for national development, peacebuilding, and economic growth, Mukabalisa told the Eleventh Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians, themed “Uniting Generations for Gender Equality.” She attributed Rwanda’s success to embedding gender equality in all government policies and programs, reinforced by political will, robust legal frameworks, institutional mechanisms, and accountability. ALSO READ: Proof that gender policies work? Look at Rwanda’s schools “Key laws driving this progress include the Constitution guaranteeing equality and mandating women hold at least 30 percent of decision-making positions, the Organic Law on political parties, decentralization laws, and the Land Law. The latter has significantly boosted women’s economic empowerment, contributing to 30 percent of their access to credit,” she added. Other reforms include the Succession Law granting equal inheritance rights, the Organic Budget Law requiring a Gender Budget Statement in every national budget, and labor protections ensuring equal pay and penalizing workplace harassment. ALSO READ: First Lady urges women to be the heart of the family, country Mukabalisa also highlighted Rwanda’s maternity leave policy of 12 weeks fully paid. “These measures empower women economically and socially, strengthening families and communities,” she said. However, global progress in gender equality in parliament remains slow. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), women’s representation in parliaments worldwide has increased from 11.3 percent in 1995 to 27.2 percent in 2025, with young women underrepresented; only 1.4 percent of MPs are under 30. Women parliamentarians face high levels of violence, harassment, and intimidation, with surveys showing up to 85 percent experiencing psychological violence during their mandates, according to the IPU. ALSO READ: Inside Rwanda’s plan to increase women enrollment in TVET Beyond numbers, Mukabalisa said, women’s empowerment has fueled Rwanda's recovery and economic growth since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. She quoted President Paul Kagame on gender equality: “We believe that, besides improving gender relations in our country, empowering women and promoting their socio-economic and political participation mark a healthy progress toward realizing our vision of a united, democratic and prosperous Rwanda.” ALSO READ: Gender equality in 2024: milestones and the road ahead The Lima conference also marked the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, emphasizing the urgency for parliaments to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality through stronger laws, gender-sensitive institutions, and action against gender-based violence.

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MP Mukabalisa shares Rwanda's gender equality experience at key forum