2007 LEGISLATURE - Gender equality should be given priority in the national budget in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the president of the Forum of Rwandan Women Parliamentarians (FFRP), Specioza Mukandutiye, has argued. Mukandutiye who was speaking at a two-day workshop at Parliamentary Buildings on 17th September said that gender mainstreaming is the key player in the economic development of any country. "We need to sensitise MPs on gender related issues so that they get to know how they can address gender in the next budget,'' she said.

The workshop organized by UNIFEM was aimed at devising ways in which gender equality could be included in the national budget to deal with the challenges that women face in their daily lives. It was also expected to assist MPs understand more key challenges that affect women capabilities and find solutions to them. Mukandutiye explained that issues related to women education, employment, development, health and financial difficulties are the items that the national budget should take into consideration if the economy is to develop and achieve the MDGs.

She said that FFRP has held several meetings with women in rural and urban areas where participants outlined their hindrances to economic progress and requested for such a workshop to have their problems heard by the lawmakers. The President of the Senate, Dr Vincent Biruta, urged Parliament to be at the forefront of all issues in addressing gender equality for equitable distribution of resources.

"Gender equality is a step ahead that should be in the national budget," Biruta said. Established in 1996, FFRP is a consultative mechanism for facilitating gender integration in the country. The forum's objective was to contribute actively to the realisation of the mission of Parliament while supervising gender integration at all levels.

The New Times