Kigali-28 June 2019- This policy was ratified on Friday 28 June 2019 by three Ministers in charge of Gender from the Economic Community of Central African States. The meeting was attended by Rwanda’s Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Amb. Soline Nyirahabimana, Chadian Minister of Women, Early Childhood Protection and National Solidarity Dr. Djalal Ardjoun Khalil, Minister of Gender from DR Congo Mrs. Safou Lopusa Chantal.

Amb. Soline acknowledged ECCAS member states for putting particular attention on the principle of equality between men and women in order to improve economic, social and cultural inclusion.

Rwanda’s Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Amb. Soline Nyirahabimana accentuated that Gender equality is a sine-what condition [absolutely necessary] because women constitute a large part of society and must be at the center of all initiatives, policies and programs that we undertake.

‘The policy will allow member states to rationalize and integrate the gender principle in all their interventions- emphasized Amb. Nyirahabimana.

The Minister added that: ‘Rwanda will continue to sensitize and advocate for the principles of gender equality, to strengthen the overall capacities of women and youth and to engage men in the promotion of gender equality and the fight against gender-based violence.’

There is need for gender-sensitive policies which enable women to fully exercise their role in political and economic development, said Isabelle Boukinda Nzaou, head of the gender unit at the ECCAS secretariat.

While speaking during the meeting of experts, Mrs. Isabelle Boukinda Nzaou, the Head of the Gender Unit at ECCAS hailed Rwanda’s Leadership, especially President Paul Kagame, for his gender-sensitive work and enabling women to fully exercise their role in the political and economic development.

‘ECCAS Member States should accelerate the implementation of all instruments and policies related to gender and the promotion of women's rights and align with the African Union Agenda 2063 and 2030 Agenda of the United Nations. –emphasized Mrs. Boukinda

The Gender Policy for ECCAS member states was reviewed by experts from the member states who met from 26-27 June 2019. The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) is composed by Rwanda, Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe and Chad.