The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Africa Regional Gender Sensitisation Workshop was held at the Parliament of Rwanda from 19 to 23 May 2025

The Parliament of Rwanda hosted the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Africa Regional Gender Sensitisation Workshop, bringing together MPs from across Africa under the theme of ‘Promoting Gender Equality and Empowering Women in Africa’.

The workshop was held at the Parliament Building in Kigali from 19 to 23 May 2025. The three-day workshop explored gender transformative legislation, and the institutional mechanisms required.

Delegates were welcomed by the CWP Africa Region Chairperson, Hon. Ndangiza Madina, MP (Rwanda) who said:

"This gathering is more than just a meeting of women Parliamentarians. It is a clear reflection of our shared commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. These are not just noble goals, but core values upheld by the Commonwealth and actively championed by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), particularly through its Africa Region and the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) network."

The Speaker of the Parliament of Rwanda’s Chamber of Deputies, Rt Hon. Kazarwa Gertrude declared that gender equality requires first and foremost an unwavering political will.

"Once the enabling political framework is in place, mechanisms and appropriate gender responsive legislation have to follow to address the systemic barriers and ensure that women actively participate in all aspects of a country’s life. This CWP Workshop provides us with an opportunity to engage in a rich and diverse discussion, sharing our experiences and best practices, while learning from one another to strengthen our efforts in driving progress in gender promotion."

Topics discussed by delegates at the CWP Workshop included regional development for the effectiveness of Women Parliamentarians, enacting legislation that supports the implementation of gender equality and women's empowerment and using emerging technologies and Artificial Intelligence to ensure effective Parliaments in Africa with presenters from Botswana, Rwanda, Eswatini, Namibia, Kenya, South Africa and Sierra Leone.

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The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) was founded in 1989 to increase the number of female elected representatives in 180 Parliaments and Legislatures across the Commonwealth and to ensure that women’s issues are brought to the fore in parliamentary debate and legislation. The network campaigns for gender equality in all spheres. For media enquiries, please contact communications@cpahq.org.