UNDP’s Sesay Praises Rwanda’s Governance Impact

Why this is here: After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, female representation in Rwanda’s Parliament stood at only 23 percent, a stark contrast to its current status as the world’s first female-majority parliament.

Dr. Fatmata Lovetta Sesay, the UNDP Resident Representative in Rwanda, spoke to Rwandan lawmakers in Kigali this Thursday.

She urged them to view Rwanda’s high rates of female representation in government—64 percent in the Chamber of Deputies—as a means to systemic change, not just a statistic. Sesay argued that Rwanda’s success lies in how women’s leadership reshapes governance and addresses citizen needs.

The discussion centered on linking gender equality to parliamentary leadership, budgeting, and the Second National Strategy for Transformation. Representation of women in Parliament rose from 23 percent after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Sesay emphasized gender-responsive budgeting as a way to ensure equitable distribution of public resources, asking who benefits and who is left behind.

She noted that budgets are plans, but effective implementation determines real change for Rwandan citizens. The UNDP pledges continued support for Rwanda’s progress toward inclusive financial reforms and equitable outcomes for all. Work continues to fully realize the potential of these governance changes.