Press release of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
Geneva/Kigali, 19 June 2001
N° 121

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Forum of Women Parliamentarians of Rwanda (FFRP) are organising a seminar entitled "The Process of Engendering a New Constitution for Rwanda" which will take place at Rwanda's National Assembly from 20 to 22 June, with the financial support of the United Nations Programme for Development (UNDP).

After the genocide which left more one million people dead, Rwanda is working for the return of political stability, founded on reinforced democratic institutions. At the core of the process is the need to set a legislative framework that will guarantee respect of the rights of all citizens, men and women. The IPU believes it is necessary to promote equal participation of men and women in the running of public affairs and to be aware of the preoccupations of both genders in the decision-making process, including in the drafting of laws.

A Juridical and Constitutional Committee which comes under the Transition NaNational Assembly has just been put in place in Rwanda. The women parliamentarians of Rwanda, aware of the importance of safeguarding women's rights under the new Constitution, on a par with those of men, have emphasised the need for a real strategy in this area.

The seminar will bring together all members of the Rwandan Transition National Assembly, members of the Parliaments of Burundi, South Africa and Tanzania, together with representatives of international organisations and the representatives from the PRO-FEMMES TWESE HAMWE Rwandan women associations.

The participants in the seminar include: Dr Vincent Biruta, President of the Transition National Assembly of Rwanda, Mrs Drocella Mugorewera, President of the FFRP, Mr Alfred Mukezamfura, Vice-President of the Juridical and Constitutional Commission of Rwanda, Mr Bacar Abduroihamane, UNDP Resident Representative (a.i.), rs Angeline Muganza, Minister for Gender Issues and the Promotion of Women; Mrs Françoise Gaspard, Member of the United Nations CEDAW Committee and Mr Mbaye Diouf, Director, Sub-Regional Centre for Development, East Africa, Economic Commission for Africa.

Established in 1889 and with its Headquarters in Geneva, the IPU, the oldest multilateral organisation, currently has 141 affiliated national parliaments and five regional assemblies as associate members. The organisation of the world's parliaments also has a Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York.