Kigali - 18 October 2019 - The Global Gender Summit will take place in Rwanda at the Kigali Convention Centre from 25-27 November 2019. Taking place for the first time in Africa, the Global Gender Summit is a biennial event organized by the multilateral development banks (MDBs) including the African Development Bank in collaboration with the Government of RwandaIt is expected that around 800 delegates including Heads of States, Heads of Governments, delegates from Development Institutions, private sector, civil society and academia will participate in this summit.

Speaking at a press conference this Friday, Rwanda’s Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Amb. Soline NYIRAHABIMANA underlined: ‘It is a privilege that Rwanda was chosen to host this year’s Global Gender Summit; taking place in Africa for the first time. We believe that GGS 2019 will be an opportunity to share best practices from all participants so that we accelerate progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa and around the world.’

This year’s summit is the 4^th edition after previous Global Gender Summits having taken in Istanbul (2012), Manila in 2014 and in the United States, Washington DC in 2016.

“We are excited to be bringing the world to Africa on the issue of gender equality. We have chosen Rwanda because the country is an example when it comes to empowering its women, well beyond Africa’s borders” said Vanessa Moungar, Director of the Gender, Women, and Civil Society Department at the African Development Bank.

Under the theme of “Unpacking constraints to gender equality”, the 2019 Global Gender Summit will focus on three key dimensions to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment: scaling up innovative financing; fostering an enabling environment and ensuring women’s participation and voices.

These dimensions will be articulated around three main thematic areas: climate change, private sector development, and human capital and productive employment. Digital revolution will be addressed throughout the sessions as a cross-cutting theme.

“We will be launching a number of initiatives to dramatically transform the landscape of access to finance in Africa and to unlock the $42 billion financing gap for women that exists there,” added Vanessa Moungar.

The Global Gender Summit will result in concrete commitments to advance women’s empowerment, which will be taken forward by all partners present.