By Rafael Broch
Cherie Booth's welcomers in Kigali today have much to smile about.
Ten years ago, amid the ash and ruins of Rwanda's genocide, a group of 15 women established the Forum of Women Parliamentarians, the FFRP. Today, it constitutes a formidable parliamentary bloc. Notes one journalist, Eleneus Akanga, "Today all female MPs from the upper and lower houses including those elected on the "women's ballot" - are members… [They] have cautiously but resoundingly taken their stand on any bill that comes up to ensure that gender equality is respected."
To celebrate the anniversary, a two-day International Women Summit convened today, attended by Gertrude Mongella, the President of the Pan African Parliament and the aforementioned London-based guest. Also present will be Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Liberia's president and the emblem of hope for gender symmetry in African politics.
The conference's theme is 'Gender, Nation Building and the Role of Parliaments', and it will hope to showcase Rwanda's unquestionable achievements in the areas of female political participation and leadership.
