Year in review: The women of 2013

2013 was an interesting year not only for Rwandan women but women all over the world. From politics to charity to Miley Cyrus’ infamous ‘twerk’ with Robin Thicke, here are some of teh women that made headlines in 2013. Rwanda women parliamentarians In 2013, Rwanda women made history by taking 64 per cent of the seats in the Lower House. Rwanda remains the only country in the world with a female dominated parliament. This year the country broke its own record with 64% of women parliamentarian having first achieved the feat in the 2008 polls when women took up 56 per cent representation in the House of Representatives. Worldwide, the average women representation in the Lower House stands at 21.3 per cent, 18.8 per cent in the Upper House (Senate) and 20.9 in both Houses, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union figures released on July 1, 2013. In sub-Saharan Africa, women representation in the Lower House averages 21.3 per cent, 18.1 per cent in the Upper House and 20.9 per cent in both Houses. Jennifer Lawrence Despite tripping on stage while she was walking up to accept her Academy Award at the 2013 Oscars Jennifer Lawrence has achieved a lot this year. The actress won an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her performance in “Silver Linings Playbook”. Angelina Jolie Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie visited Rwanda as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Goodwill Ambassador on March 24, 2013. The visit by the Hollywood A-lister and mother of six children with partner Brad Pitt was aimed at highlighting the terrible human cost of warzone rape, and to call on Governments worldwide to address this neglected and growing problem. To add to that, the actress underwent a preventive double mastectomy after learning that she carries a mutation of the BRCA1 gene, which sharply increases her risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Jolie’s mother, actress and producer Marcheline Bertrand, died of ovarian cancer in 2007 at the age of 56. Jolie is 37 years old. Jolie may be best known for title role in the “Lara Croft” series of films, but she also won an Academy Award for best supporting actress in “Girl, Interrupted.” She also received a Golden Globe Award and SAG Award for the same role. Miley Cyrus Miley may have gotten a lot of heat for her now-infamous performance of “Blurred Lines” at the MTV VMAs on August 25th, 2013. The girl, who went from a teen star to a twerking maniac, is still making tongues wag over her outrageous performance with Robin Thicke at the 2013 Video Music Awards (VMA’s). Miley Cyrus admits, “You’re always gonna make people talk. You might as well make them talk for, like, two weeks, rather than two seconds.” The word twerk was among the 1,000 words added to Oxford Dictionaries Online in 2013 Based on Oxford Dictionaries Online, Twerk is a dance to popular music in a sexually provocative manner involving thrusting hip movements and a low, squatting stance. Malala Yousafzai Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl who was shot and survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban in 2012, for attending classes is now a renowned education activist. Although the 16-year-old didn’t not win the Nobel Peace Prize she was among the winners of 2013 UN human rights prize. She has become a symbol of courage and hope, sparking a wave of solidarity across the globe. In October 2013 published a book titled “I am Malala” telling her life-shattering moment. Oprah Winfrey Oprah Winfrey is a media mogul, television host and author who has a net worth of $2.9 billion as she remained the world’s most powerful woman and America’s first African billionaire. Oprah Winfrey rose from poverty, abuse and prejudice to become one of the most influential people on the planet. Today, she earns an annual salary of $315 million thanks to her highly lucrative media empire. Oprah’s diverse format included world and humanitarian issues, health, spirituality, and interviews with the non-famous and famous alike. She is credited for having revolutionised the television talk show platform. It is safe to say every year is Oprah’s year! Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge This year has been a big year for the Duchess of Cambridge, from the birth of Prince George on July 22, 2103, to the christening and a host of Royal appearances. The 31-year –old wife of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge has also been voted the UK’s top beauty icon of 2013.