| UN Secretary General commends Rwanda for achievements towards MDGs:
The United Nations Secretary General Mr Ban Ki-moon paid an official visit to Rwanda on the 29 th January 2008. During his one day visit The Secretary General met with His Excellency President Paul Kagame and held discussions with high level Government officials and the UN Country Team.
 In his address to the parliament he commended Rwanda for its achievements in meeting the Millennium Development Goals. The Secretary General particularly stressed the achievements on Goal 3; Promoting gender equality and empowering women. In education, Rwanda has already achieved gender parity in primary school enrolment. In health, there has been a 30 per cent drop in the maternal mortality rate between 2000 and 2005. In economic security, legal reforms have been passed to enable both women and men to inherit land.
"Women now comprise 43 per cent of elected local government leaders, and hold close to half the seats in parliament. With this Rwanda offers an outstanding example, not only to other African countries, but to the entire world, he said. The secretary General also highlighted the importance of political diversity and encouraged the Government to work for to work for broad-based participation of political parties, civil society, and media organizations in the legislative elections process later this year.
 The Secretary General visited the UN supported Rwanda Women Network's Village of Hope, a national non-governmental organization dedicated to the promotion and improvement of the socio-economic welfare of women, many of them victims of the 1994 Genocide. Women survivors are still dealing with the consequences of the Genocide and the sexual violence that was used a weapon of war `The United Nations is committed to continue supporting your work and ensuring your efforts to building new lives are successful', said the Secretary General'.
The Secretary General also met with all UN staff in Rwanda and outlined his three focus areas for 2008; delivering results, enforcing accountability both between the UN and member states and between staff members at all levels and renewed commitment to global goals such as the MDGs. |
Rwanda
