Rwanda is expected to host the Women Deliver Conference in 2023, the worlds largest conference on gender equality, health, rights, and wellbeing of girls and women. The development was announced on June 20, by the delegation from Women Deliver, during a press conference held to announce the one-year countdown to the next WD2023 slated to kick off from July 17-20 next year. The event was also held alongside the opening of the Commonwealth Women Forum (CWF), one of a series of events taking place on the first day of the 26th edition of Commonwealth Heads of Governments meetings (CHOGM) 2022. The CWF is attended by more than 500 delegates who are discussing solutions to address pressing challenges affecting women and girls across the Commonwealth, to ensure that member countries have robust policies and programs to meet gender equality targets by 2030. According to officials, Rwanda’s strong and demonstrable commitment to gender equality and girls’ and women’s health and rights, makes it an especially appropriate choice for WD2023. Kathleen Sherwin, Women’s deliver outgoing CEO and incoming board member, said they have various criteria followed to choose Rwanda to host WD2023, which include 60 percent leaders in government being women, among other reasons. In addition, she said that WD2023 will enhance the collective power of diverse gender equality advocates around the world including championing the leadership of grassroots advocates, connecting advocates with decision-makers, and sharing key advocacy strategies. “We are thrilled to be coming together with the government of Rwanda and Rwandan gender equality advocates during CWF to continue laying the groundwork to advance gender equality and improve the wellbeing of girls and women in all their intersecting identities in the lead up to WD2023,” Sherwin said. Speaking on the same occasion, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, (MIGEPROF) Jeanette Bayisenge said that Rwanda has made significant progress in gender equality in the past 28 years, pointing out that though there is still a long way to go, a lot has been done in closing the gender gap. Bayisenge also mentioned that Women Deliver is a platform that will bring together various people across the world to discuss the challenges women still face and come up with tangible solutions for the inclusion and equal global community. Commenting on expected outcomes, she said that Rwanda will benefit from knowledge sharing, as well as the building of further collaboration to promote gender equality among others. Moreover, Bayisenge revealed that Rwanda, through MIGEPROF, has been designated to be the co-chair of the conference host committee. Rwanda will be the first country in Africa to host the Women Deliver conference. Maliha Khan, the president and CEO of Women Deliver, also reiterated how this year’s CWF goals align with the objectives of WD2023. In addition, she pointed out that the proposed solutions from the CWF will inform commonwealth leaders’ discussions and policies on ending gender inequality among others.
