During the 6th and 7th of October Kigali was graced with a two day Gender Pre-Forum conference organised by The African Union on the theme “Silencing the guns; Women in Democratization and Peace Building in Africa”. The aim of the Gender Pre-Forum is to make policy recommendations on measures and mechanisms that support the role of women in strengthening democratic governance in order to address violent conflicts on the continent. Its aim is to also observe challenges and opportunities for the most effective participation of women in democratisation and peace building in Africa.

The Gender Pre-Forum was co-hosted by the African Union (AU) and Rwandan Governance Board (RGB) in partnership with UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa, UN Women, Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, Rwanda Governance Board, and the GIZ Regional Governance Programme Support to the African Union and the Institute for Peace and Security Studies of the University of Addis Ababa.

The Gender Pre-Forum urged that if a political system neglects women’s participation and evades accountability for women’s rights it fails half its citizens. The focus was on inequality and women’s importance in building democratic governance and peace, not only was it focused on the political participation but discussion circling the different discrimination and abuse that women face through time of conflict. Women are the ones who face the biggest threat of gender based violence through times of conflict. The minister of gender and family promotion, Oda Gasinzigwa asked “How does one give back the dignity to the sexually abused victims?” something that needs to be concentrated on to building back Agaciro (dignity) of the victims.

In his opening remarks the One UN resident coordinator and UNDP representative in Rwanda Mr Lamin Manneh explained how Rwanda can be seen as an example in the mind of conflict and post- conflict conditions. “The story of Rwanda in the aftermath of genocide teaches us of a nation that has been able to overcome great adversities through faith, determination, forgiveness, reconciliation, hard work and competent leadership” Mr. Manneh noted. In addition Minister Gasinzigwa further stressed on the important role the women of Rwanda have played in the building of the new Rwanda where we see women as the pole position of the nation’s healing and the positive effect to the socio-economic transformations as well as effecting decision making at levels of development.

This Gender Pre-Forum is seen as a possibility to enlightening and advancing the role of women in silencing the conflicts around Africa and enhancing the role that they play in democratic governance and values around the continent.

The third annual level dialogue of “Silencing the guns” is expected to take place in Dakar, Senegal the 30th and 31th of October. Where they will take in consideration the recommendation that was brought forward by the expertise at the conference on implementation of new strategies and policies in regards to the theme “silencing the guns in Africa by 2020”.

For more information contact us on:

 communication.rw@undp.org