Rwanda Project: Winter 2007 Update

The Initiative for Inclusive Security's Rwanda Project was designed to demonstrate how women's leadership in a post-conflict country can be pivotal for the development and stabilization of society. The project, which included significant documentation and training components, was carefully designed in collaboration with Rwandans. It was built on Inclusive Security's work in Rwanda over the last six years, including the participation of Rwandan women in our annual Colloquium; publication of the study, Strengthening Governance: The Role of Women in Rwanda's Transition; high-level consultations and advocacy efforts; and in-country training by Ambassador Swanee Hunt, Hunt Alternatives Fund Board members, and staff.

Background
Rwanda's constitution mandates the inclusion of women in at least 30% of all decision-making structures. In October 2003 women earned—through a combination of quotas and direct election—48.8% of seats in Rwanda's lower house of parliament. Having achieved near parity in its legislature, this small African country is first among all nations in terms of women's political representation. Rwanda is at the forefront of two international trends—the use of quotas in Africa and in post-conflict countries. The level of women's political participation in Rwanda deserves further study in part because it contradicts the notion that the inclusion of women is solely a “Western” value imposed upon developing countries.

Project Goal
The Rwanda Project recognized the extraordinary efforts of Rwandan women in rebuilding their country after civil war and genocide and their unprecedented political gains, while appreciating the historic disadvantages and ongoing challenges they face. Based in Kigali, Rwanda, this project sought to:

1. Research and document the Rwandan experience of women's leadership.
2. Produce a model of sustainable, replicable leadership training.
3. Strengthen the capacity of elected and appointed women leaders at the national level through a comprehensive program of skills training.
4. Support the development of the next generation of women leaders by providing opportunities to young, local, or grassroots women leaders that prepare them for national-level leadership.
5. Connect Rwandan women with The Women Waging Peace Network so that women in other war-affected countries can learn from their experiences and achievements.

(Last updated: winter 2007)

Learn more about the Rwanda Project.

Contact:
Elizabeth Powley, Project Manager
Email: powley@huntalternatives.org

Inclusive Security Publications
Strengthening Governance: The Role of Women in Rwanda's Transition (October 2003)

Media
Rwanda Project Manager Elizabeth Powley co-authors "'Gender is Society': Inclusive Lawmaking in Rwanda's Parliament"
By Elizabeth Powley and Elizabeth Pearson, Critical Half
Winter 2007

Women MPs to Host International Summit 
by Godwin Agaba, The New Times (Kigali)
January 8, 2007

Women Take Lead in Reconstruction of Rwanda
By Jodi Enda, Women's eNews
November 16, 2003

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