"The issues to be discussed in this meeting resonate very well with Rwanda's development agenda. We believe that family planning and related issues are crucial for our citizens' welfare, and for the country's socio-economic development at large," said Rwanda's senate President Jean Damascene Ntawukuliryayo.
He stressed that in the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis, Rwanda's key priorities have always been poverty reduction, empowering women and family planning. "All of them reflect reproductive health and sexual rights which you will be discussing. The main aim must be to improve the woman and child livelihoods."
Senator Ntawukuliryayo highlighted some of the challenges to maternal and child health, such as weak health systems, cultural barriers, limited financing, and access to remote areas. "We have to note the gap between urban and rural areas in terms of implementation," he said. "We find more women delivering at their homes in the countryside more than in cities. We have to do all in our possibilities to make sure that no woman dies while giving birth. We recognize family planning as the best way to improve maternal and child health deaths."
Moreover, senator Ntawukuliryayo commended Rwanda's efforts, where he said that the use of contraceptive methods has increased. "The use of modern contraceptive methods has increased from 4% of women at the reproductive age in 2000, to 45% in 2010. We still have to go further."
He also stated that protecting those women and children's lives is a must. "It's a matter of commitment. We have to get there by all means. Those dying are our kids, grandchildren, daughters, sisters or mothers. They are the Africa of tomorrow. We have to play a pivotal role in the process."
According to Saudate Sani, the special advisor to the President of Nigeria and a member of the African Women Leaders Network, African parliamentarians have to assess how their respective governments are committing their efforts towards the implementation of the MDGs. "We have to look at the world with women's eyes and allocate resources to women and children mortality, and family planning," she said.
For Silvia Ssinabulya, chair of the Ugandan chapter of Network of African Women Ministers & Parliamentarians, as the MDGs deadline comes closer (2015), parliamentarians have to ask themselves what will be the next development framework. "The good news is that we can influence it. More than 200 million women in the whole world have a family planning need; we are saddened that only a few countries have a correct understanding of reproductive health and sexual rights. We have to be the one to pilot the socio economic empowerment of women."
She stated that lawmakers have five key functions to play, which are to represent the people, to advocate, the legislation, budgeting role, and oversight role of holding the governments accountable.
"Through all these functions, we can make it happen. We represent the people, we have to make the women's voice heard. We will do that by targeting key ministries as the ministry of health (prioritize maternal health), the ministry of finance for funds allocation, etc."
She also said that lawmakers can develop a comprehensive legal framework for the cause. "We have to use our constitutional mandate to advocate for women and children's welfare," she remarked.
