‘A fundamental right’: UAE, Rwanda affirm commitment to gender equality on International Women’s Day

‘A fundamental right’: UAE, Rwanda affirm commitment to gender equality on International Women’s Day

The UAE's Presidential directive currently ensures that Emirati women must occupy 50 per cent of the Federal National Council’s (Parliament) seats

Image for representative purposes

Published: Wed 8 Mar 2023, 9:43 AM

Rwanda joins the United Arab Emirates and the rest of the world in spotlighting the remarkable progress in gender equality, as the global community marks International Women’s Day on Wednesday.

The celebration comes at a time when gender equality continues to gain momentum in the two friendly countries. The Women in Parliament 2022 Report by the Inter-Parliamentary Union ranks Rwanda and the UAE among the world’s six countries with gender parity in their lower or single house as of January 1, 2023.

Reflecting on Women’s Day, Emmanuel Hategeka, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the UAE, said: “Rwanda and [the] UAE share commitment to gender equality, and our two countries continue to be gender champions in their respective regions and globally as indicated in the Inter-Parliamentary Union 2022 report. Gender equality is enshrined in the longstanding vision of our two countries and is backed by good leadership. This International Women’s Day is a reminder that gender equality is a fundamental right and a backbone to just and inclusive development.”

Rwanda and the UAE