Media Release:
RAUW hosts Research Presentation on Gender & Governance in Rwanda

16 June 2008

The Rwandan Association of University Women (RAUW) recently hosted a research presentation for its members on the topic of gender & governance in Rwanda. Elizabeth Powley, who directed The Initiative for Inclusive Security (Women Waging Peace) office in Rwanda from 2005–2007, returned to Kigali to share research results from that project.

Elizabeth Powley

With nearly half its parliament composed of women, Rwanda provides a compelling example of how women leaders helped rebuild society, 14 years after a genocide that left nearly a million Rwandans dead.The Initiative for Inclusive Security’s research examines how women in government have had a significant impact on the country's reconstruction.

Elizabeth Powley discussed the findings of the following three publications:

“Defending Children's Rights: The Legislative Priorities of Rwandan Women Parliamentarians” highlights the role of women parliamentarians and the FFRP in laying the legislative groundwork to protect children. It argues that as the numbers of women in parliament have increased, and as their caucus has gained strength, their ability to influence legislation has improved.

“Demonstrating Legislative Leadership: The Introduction of Rwanda's GBV Bill” provides a detailed analysis of the landmark bill and the ways in which the FFRP demonstrated important leadership and modeled good governance, particularly through public consultations and inclusive policy making.

“Engendering Rwanda's Decentralization: Supporting Candidates for Local Office” examines the 2006 district elections, the gains for women, the missed opportunities, and especially the ways in which training and capacity building programs can supplement/augment quotas. It also highlights the way that national-level women leaders can and should be role models for the "next generation" of women's leadership and the use of mentoring to encourage potential women candidates.

All three papers can be found online.

Elizabeth Powley, a longtime member of RAUW, made a presentation on her research and then facilitated a discussion that included contributions by members of parliament and other women leaders. Ms Powley said that she hopes the results of the research will be useful to women in the upcoming 2008 parliamentary campaigns and election.

RAUW is an organization dedicated to be the leading graduate women’s organization empowering women and girls through lifelong education for leadership, decision-making and peace. For more information, please contact Christine Boroa RAUW office 55 111 823.

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