A Gender-Sensitive Constitution in Rwanda

-heartsutra: August 7, 2001

Here's a bit of good news to share with the group. According to the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the UN Integrated Regional Information Network, a parliamentary forum was held last month on the review process to create gender equity in the Rwandan Constitution. This forum was the work of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Forum for Rwandan Women, and marks a wonderful spirit of progress towards equal rights for women in that African nation

The U.N. Development Fund for Women supported the forum as part of its work to strengthen gender equality in electoral, constitutional, legal and judicial processes. It has prepared a paper on "The inclusion of principles of gender equality and women's human rights for a gender-sensitive constitution." It also funded a workshop on the "Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination (CEDAW) and the Rwandan Constitution" and presented a paper to Rwanda's Constitutional and Legislative Review Commission on CEDAW.

UNIFEM provided funding to the Commission to sensitize commissioners and community leaders in three prefectures - Byumba, Kigali and Umutara - on the constitutional review process and the importance of preparing a gender-sensitive constitution for Rwanda. CEDAW, also known as the women's bill of rights, is a cornerstone of all UNIFEM programs.

This is a victory for the whole of Rwanda, since it has been proven time and time again, that strengthening women's position in society strengthens the economy, stability, and overall health of a nation.