Women make up 64% percent of the Rwandan parliament

As countries throughout the world face criticism for unequal women's representation in politics, Rwanda is well ahead of the game. Rwanda ranks sixth in the world in the World Economic Forum's rating of nations with the best and worst governmental gender gaps (with the USA clocking in at number 28). Rwanda is exceptional in that women hold 64 percent of the seats in the Rwandan parliament, as well as innumerable other ministerial positions and crucial ministries.

Special measures, beginning with the 2003 Constitution, which established a 30% quota for women in elected offices, and political parties implementing their own voluntary quotas for women candidates on party lists, fueled the amazing development. Women held nearly half of Parliamentary seats in 2003, scarcely a decade after the massacre. Despite the fact that women have held the majority of seats in Parliament for several years, many Rwandan women leaders continue to have their competence and capacities questioned. National advances must be maintained through strengthening the capacity of local women leaders and combating unfavorable perceptions about women in politics.