Delegation from Sierra Leone in Kigali to learn Rwanda’s best practices before implementation

A delegation of members of the Sierra Leonean Parliament is currently in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali to focus in the country’s best practices with views to adopting and applying in their own country. Among several practices, one important is empowering women in decision-making processes.

The delegation from Sierra Leone, consisted of eight lawmakers, has come for a five-day tour during which they will tour varied activities with special interest on exchanging best practices. Abass C Bundu, the Speaker of the Sierra Leonean Parliament, said after meeting his Rwandan counterpart, Donatille Mukabalisa that ‘there is a lot they can gain from their Rwandan counterparts’.

“It has been a wonderful experience, we interacted with the Speaker, the deputy Speaker, Members of Parliament and various chairpersons of committees, and they shared what they do and how they do it. And we have learned great things. We have many similarities with Rwanda, like the civil war which lasted eleven years and killed many people. We have specifically been here to learn from the experience of the Rwandan Parliament,” he opined, as reported by The New Times.

On the other hand, the Sierra Leonean members are astonished to see how Rwanda empowered women by ensuring that many women come at the front in decision-making positions. “For instance, in our parliament of 146 members, we only have 18 women. Here, we learned that women representation in parliament is over 60 percent which is even more than double the threshold that is prescribed in your constitution. So that is a huge milestone and certainly it provides a platform and experience to learn from,” he added.

They are even likely to discuss to promote the bilateral relations between the two countries. They will be meeting with several government officials, the business community, members of civil society and visit Rubavu border and Kigali Genocide Memorial.

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