7. To begin with, the Rwanda Constitution as earlier mentioned requires
30% of women in all decision making institutions of the Republic of
Rwanda. Such has been reflected in the term (2008-2013) elections
where above 54% of parliamentary seats are for women while today
64% of the Rwandan Parliamentary seats are occupied by womencurrent term (-2013-2018). Without an appropriate implementation
structure and human resources to translate the above commitments into
action, they would remain on paper and have no real impact on the
lives of women and the Rwandan nation as a whole. Therefore, the
Government of Rwanda as earlier mentioned has put gender machinery
in place to ensure effective implementation and coordination of the
gender equality commitments.
8. The Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) is the
central Government organ mandated to ensure strategic coordination of
policy implementation in the area of gender equality, family promotion
and children’s protection. The establishment of the National Women
Council which is a permanent forum where by women discuss about
their problems and looking how to influence their resolution is another
milestone in the protection and promotion of women’s rights.
9. The Rwandan Forum for Women Parliamentarians (FFRP) is a
mechanism for women in parliament to use their strategic position as
lawmakers to continuously lobby, advocate for and initiate genderresponsive laws and enhance gender equality principles within the
institution of parliament, as well as improving gender-based
Governmental oversight. National Commission for Children (NCC) was
established in 2011 to promote children’s rights, ensure coordination,
implementation, oversight and monitoring of the children protection
system, as well as to provide Rwanda’s children the opportunity to
develop into productive and responsible citizens.
10. The Office of the Ombudsman and the National Human Rights
Commission are other monitoring and accountability mechanisms that
follow up the respect, promotion and protection of human rights,
including women’s rights.
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