Source: allAfrica

European Union parliamentarians will visit Rwanda next month in a bid to learn from the country's achievements towards gender balance, said Amb. Michael Ryan, the head of European Union Delegation to Rwanda.

Ryan was speaking to journalists today (Tuesday) during his visit to Speaker Donatille Mukabalisa at the Parliament buildings in Kigali.

"I was here today to prepare the ground for the visit of our parliamentarians to Rwanda from September 20--23. Eight parliamentarians from Brussels (EU headquarters in Belgium) will be here on gender issues," he said.

Speaker Mukabalisa said, the visit is crucial to strengthen the cooperation with other parliaments which benefit the states as well.

"The head of EU Delegation was here to chart with us about the visit of EU parliamentarians coming up next month. We shall share with them different matters about gender balance. We have given them ideas of what we can share and they have also suggested what they need to learn about," she said.

Amb. Ryan said it is a great opportunity for the EU parliamentarians to share ideas with Rwandans on gender issues because Rwanda is one of the best records in the world with high representation of women in parliament and key institutions.

"They will meet Rwanda parliamentarians, see projects and get firsthand impression of the great work that Rwanda has done on gender issues. They want to learn how gender issues are managed in this country, how civil society articulate, advance and advocate for gender issues to secure the right gender balance in society," he said.

EU visitors will have to talk with many people, visit projects where gender issues are promoted and hold round table discussions to hear the views of Rwandans about gender issues.

By Jean d'Amour Mugabo

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