More than 200 participants from governments, development partners, foundations, civil society, academia, the Private sector, Media and other Non-State actors from different countries in Africa and beyond have today gathered in Kigali, in a Gender Conference that aims to discuss strategies to accelerate the momentum on promoting gender equality at the African continent. The two day conference taking place from 10-11 May 2018 runs under the theme: “Changing Dynamics, Accelerating Progress”. The Conference has been organized by the National Gender Machinery institutions including the Gender Monitoring Office and the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion in partnership with the One UN Rwanda. Participants discussed, among others, the current state on gender equality and accountability in the framework of Africa agenda 2030 and 2063, impact of political will on promotion of gender equality, mechanisms of promoting gender sensitive investments, as well as strategies for bridging gender digital divide in Africa. Officiating the Conference, the Speaker of the Parliament, Chambre of Deputies Right Hon. Donatille Mukabarisa commended Rwanda's efforts in promoting gender equality and empowering Rwandan women, noting that gender equality is a good strategy for sustainable development, good governance, respect of human rights and democracy. ‘‘Rwanda has positioned gender equality as key towards attaining its economic targets. A lot has been done to deliver on this. We all have to make sure we keep the momentum and sustain these gains,’’ said the Speaker.  ‘‘As African countries are pushing to ensure respect and promotion of gender equality, the Political will is key to accelerate the momentum for attainment to gender equality in Africa’’ she added.
The Gender Conference has been organized in the margins of the Africa Smart Women’s Summit as part of the Transform Africa Summit. The conference on achieving gender equality is also an opportunity to extend discussions beyond “Africa smart women and girls initiative”. It is also a platform where discussions on other issues of gender are placed at the forefront. The gender conference is expected to help catalyze a drive for effective financing mechanisms for gender equality while ensuring that undertaken gender commitments are fully implemented by all African Countries