Rwandan Members of Parliament on Monday met with a delegation from Madagascar’s National Assembly to discuss democratic governance, gender equality in leadership, and cooperation between the two countries’ legislative bodies.
The visiting Malagasy lawmakers were accompanied by representatives from the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA), an independent organization that supports credible elections and good governance across the continent.
The meeting, held on July 21, brought together members of Rwanda’s various standing parliamentary committees and the Forum of Rwandan Women Parliamentarians (FFRP). Discussions focused on democratic institutions, women’s representation in politics, youth participation in decision-making, and national security.
Rwandan lawmakers emphasized the country’s strong commitment to inclusive governance, gender equality, and institutional collaboration aimed at building peaceful and sustainable societies.
One of Rwanda’s notable achievements in governance is its high level of women’s representation in Parliament. As of 2024, women held 61% of seats in the Chamber of Deputies, according to a report by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), maintaining Rwanda’s position as a global leader in gender parity.
This representation has been largely enabled by a constitutional provision that reserves 30% of seats for women, in addition to those elected through political party lists and other mechanisms.
Before the introduction of these gender-based quotas, women were significantly underrepresented in Parliament.
Rwanda and Madagascar have maintained strong diplomatic ties, including a cooperation agreement signed in 2023 to promote trade and investment between the two countries’ private sectors.
Monday’s meeting was part of ongoing efforts to exchange experiences on how legislative bodies can support citizen-centered governance, legal frameworks, and gender-inclusive leadership across Africa.
