REPUBLIC OF RWANDA

MINISTRY OF GENDER AND FAMILY PROMOTION

OPENING REMARKS BY
HON. ODA GASINZIGWA
MINISTER OF GENDER AND FAMILY PROMOTION
AT THE AU GENDER PRE-FORUM CONFERENCE




SERENA HOTEL, 16 October, 2014

Honourable Ministers,
Commissioner of Political Affairs in the African Union;
Excellencies Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Heads of
International Organisations,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,


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1. On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Rwanda, I am
pleased to welcome you all to Rwanda and to this important Gender Pre-
Forum Conference on the Role of Women in Democratic Governance
and Peace Building in Africa under the theme Silencing the Guns.

2. Let me thank the leadership of the African Union through its African
Governance Architecture (AGA), for successfully co-organising this
conference with the Government of Rwanda and development partners.
Thank you for choosing Rwanda to host this forum.

3. The nexus between governance, peace and security is at the top of
policy agenda in Africa as manifested by the commitment of African
Heads of State in 2013 to silence the guns in Africa by 2020.

4. As reflected in the theme, this forum is a clear manifestation of
Africas commitment to ensure a broad-based participation of all its
citizenry, women inclusive, in democratic governance and peace building.


5. Indeed, Africa has registered commendable progress in good
governance and democratisation process. For the last 50 years, Africa
has established governance norms and architecture to promote human
rights, rule of law, democracy, and socio-economic development aimed
at transforming the lives of the African peoples.

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Distinguished Guests,

6. Todays dialogue comes at a time when Africa has registered good
achievements in consolidation of peace in post conflict countries such as
Sierra Leone, Ivory Cost as well as Rwanda. However, at the same time,
Africa is faced with challenges of insecurity in some countries mainly
caused by governance deficit.
7. A continent at peace with itself requires more than absence of war, it
requires to embrace good governance values of respect for human rights,
rule of law, transparency, effective, inclusive as well as accountable
governance and citizen-centred development.

Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

8. Rwandas experience offers both the worst and optimistic scenarios
of bad and good leadership. Bad governance characterized by genocide
ideology, discrimination, exclusion and culture of impunity were at heart
of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi.

9. With committed and visionary leadership and determined citizens,
the country has been able to rise from the ashes of the 1994 genocide
against the Tutsi to a beacon of reconciliation, hope and inclusive
governance.
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
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10. Notwithstanding the success stories of the African continent, let
me point out that the journey is still long. Governance issues are part of
the structural causes of protracted violent conflicts that much often
undermine Africas progress.

11. The consequences of conflicts range from loss of life, traumatised
population, to vicious cycles of poverty and under- development. Amidst
these destructive conflicts, women bear the greatest brunt.

12. We also know that in post conflict reconstruction, women once
given opportunity play a leading role in reconciliation, conflict resolution
and peace building. This is why today we are discussing the role of
women in silencing the guns and enhancing democratic governance
values in Africa and beyond.
13. The role of women cannot be overemphasized. In Rwanda, in the
aftermath of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi, Rwandan women have
been at the forefront of national healing, reconciliation, socio-economic
transformation as well as decision making at all levels of the national
development. This has been possible because of political will at the
highest level that has translated into an enabling legal, policy and
institutional frameworks for gender equality and women empowerment.

14. Therefore, in silencing the guns in Africa, the issue of gender
equality and womens participation should be an integral part of our
values as a continent. It is our obligation to empower men, women, girls
and boys to a level they can play their rightful role in democratisation
processes, peace building and development.

Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
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15. As we strive for a peaceful and prosperous Africa, Let us
rededicate our efforts to accelerate our progress to attain MDGs and
engage in the formulation of the post 2015 development agenda.

16. While Africa is struggling to achieve MDGs, it is imperative for
Africa to rethink innovative approaches that link the issue of peace and
security with the post 2015 development agenda and the Africas agenda
of 2063.

17. Let me share with you, Rwandas modest progress in implementing
MDGs. In less than 10 years, a million people have been lifted out of
extreme poverty. The Rwandan annual economic growth has been
averaged at 8% with the target to become a middle income economy by
2020. In addition, more than 95% of Rwandan boys and girls have access
to universal education; infant mortality rate has declined from 86/1000
live births to 50/1000 in 2010, while 3 quarters of the population have
access to clean and safe drinking water.

18. As stated by H.E Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of
Rwanda, The MDGs are a floor, not a ceiling. Being on-track does
not mean that a problem is solved, far from it. Even in the face of
setbacks, which will always be there, it is useful to see them as
opportunities to strengthen institutions and improve service delivery.
19. In the area of regional peace and security, Rwanda continues to
contribute to various peace keeping missions. Among the Rwandan
UN/AU peace keepers, over 400 women Police and Army officers are
participating.

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Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

20. As I conclude, I would like to rally our efforts in consolidating
peace and democratic governance while harnessing the role of women. I
trust that in the course of the next two days of this conference, you will
come up with concrete action-oriented recommendations.


21. May your recommendations help We Africans, to understand, as
H.E Paul Kagame said, that what we have in common is not the burden
of dependency but the solution of self-reliance and that the dignity that
we all want cannot be donated to us. We must give it to ourselves.

22. I hope during your stay, you will find time to visit Kigali and the
countryside as well to share our experience, and enjoy the beauty of this
country.

23. It is now my pleasure to declare the AU Gender Pre-Forum
Conference on the role of Women in Democratic Governance and Peace
Building in Africa, officially open!

I thank you for your attention,
God bless all of you.