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The “Inspiration Day” Model: Fostering Women’s Leadership by Connecting National Leaders with Grassroots Candidates

Posted by The Institute for Inclusive Security on June 1, 2009

Research suggests that connecting experienced national women leaders with potential female candidates at the grassroots successfully encourages women to run for office. This publication documents Inclusive Security’s efforts in Liberia and Rwanda to enable established female elected officials to nurture the next generation of leaders by sharing their experiences, priorities, and strategies with local women.

Looking to Rwanda for Lessons on Gender Equality

Posted by on December 3, 2008
Looking to Rwanda for Lessons on Gender Equality

This article was originally published by The Huffington Post. The 2003 Rwandan Constitution included a quota providing for 30% reserved seats for women in all decision making bodies. In 2008 women filled the 30% quota and then gained another 26% of the seats in the legislature via the political party ballot, for a total of […]

Demonstrating Legislative Leadership: The Introduction of Rwanda’s Gender-Based Violence Bill

Posted by Elizabeth Pearson on April 1, 2008

In August 2006, members of Rwanda’s Chamber of Deputies debated the landmark “Draft Law on Prevention, Protection and Punishment of Any Gender Based Violence.” Importantly, the bill—developed by Rwanda’s Forum of Rwandan Women Parliamentarians (FFRP) over a two-year process of public involvement—was the first substantive piece of legislation developed by the legislature since its election […]

Defending Children’s Rights: The Legislative Priorities of Rwandan Women Parliamentarians

Posted by Elizabeth Powley on April 1, 2008

Inclusion of women in national legislatures has had positive policy outcomes for children and families. Global analyses, and the Rwanda case in particular, indicate that female legislators are more likely to prioritize issues such as family health and welfare, and the defense of children’s rights. This publication draws on extensive interviews with parliamentarians and others, […]

Engendering Rwanda’s Decentralization: Supporting Women Candidates for Local Office

Posted by Elizabeth Powley on April 1, 2008

In May 2003 Rwanda ratified a constitution that established a 30 percent quota for women’s participation in all “decision-making organs.” Quotas like this are of critical importance for increasing women’s representation in local government. The interpretation of those quotas, however, is equally important. This publication presents a review of the literature on women and local […]

Strengthening Post-Conflict Legislatures

Posted by Jessica Gomez and Carla Koppell on January 1, 2008

Productive, strong legislatures are central to healthy democracies in post-conflict countries, fostering political pluralism and acting as a check on the executive branch. Yet too often, following a conflict, parliaments are weakened by internal divisiveness, the limited experience and skill of members, staffing shortages, and an overwhelming legislative agenda. Increasing women’s representation in government can […]

Combating Gender-Based Violence

Posted by Jessica Gomez on January 1, 2008

Widespread gender-based violence is common during and after armed conflict. Often, this pattern corresponds to a deficiency in the institutional mechanisms and rule of law meant to prevent and punish such crimes. Because women legislators frequently spearhead efforts to address gender-based violence, increasing their roles in government can be instrumental to combating the problem. Part […]

Increasing Women’s Participation in Local Government

Posted by Jessica Gomez on January 1, 2008

Devolving authority from central to local authorities can enhance government’s legitimacy and increase its accountability to citizens. Moreover, the process of decentralization can facilitate the democratic participation of groups that are frequently marginalized within formal governing structures. Women are one such group, and their policy priorities often include the issues that affect their families’ daily […]

Promoting Male-Female Collaboration in Legislatures

Posted by Jessica Gomez with Carla Koppell on January 1, 2008

Women are capturing an increasing share of seats in post-conflict legislatures around the world. Evidence indicates that they are vital to ensuring that countries make necessary social investments in children’s and women’s rights, health care, and education; however, these lawmakers are more likely to succeed when they collaborate with male counterparts and when issues are […]

Designing Programs to Increase Women’s Participation in Local Government

Posted by Jessica Gomez on January 1, 2008

Devolving authority from central to local government offers a critical opportunity to ensure wider representation and improve post-conflict democracy. When elected, female officials in particular can enhance the legitimacy of local government, improve service delivery, and facilitate communication with the local population. Yet too often women are not given the information, training, and support necessary […]

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