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Demonstrating Legislative Leadership: The Introduction of Rwanda's Gender-Based Violence Bill

Demonstrating Legislative LeadershipPublication Date: April 2008
Author: Elizabeth Pearson
Abstract: In August 2006, members of Rwanda’s Chamber of Deputies debated the landmark “Draft Law on Prevention, Protection and Punishment of Any Gender Based Violence.” Importantly, the bill—developed by Rwanda’s Forum of Rwandan Women Parliamentarians (FFRP) over a two-year process of public involvement—was the first substantive piece of legislation developed by the legislature since its election in 2003. This publication presents a detailed account of the development of this GBV law and examines the consultative approach of the FFRP, which suggests the emergence of a new model of governance in Rwanda. (36 pages plus endnotes)


Key Findings:

  • The gender-based violence bill of August 2006 is the only piece of legislation introduced in Rwanda since the 2003 elections by members of parliament, rather than by the executive branch.
  • While male parliamentarians and government officials supported the GBV bill’s development, the policymaking process was initiated and led by the Forum of Rwandan Women Parliamentarians (FFRP).
  • Women parliamentarians gathered information, solicited input, and sensitized citizens and other lawmakers to the problem of gender-based violence. The GBV bill is thus the product of a strong relationship between women legislators and their constituents.
  • Women’s model of leadership and lawmaking has improved governance in Rwanda. Since the election in 2003, women have improved dialogue between the grassroots and national levels, enhanced collaboration between civil society and the government, demonstrated legislative leadership, and advocated for human rights.
  • International donors facilitated the FFRP’s success. Their financial support enabled the women to build technical capacity, implement a consultative policy process, and demonstrate leadership on the issue of gender-based
    violence.
  • The FFRP’s principled and strategic engagement of male colleagues, from inviting them to join the public consultations to recruiting male co-sponsors for the bill, allowed it to demonstrate that gender-based violence is not solely a women’s issue.

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