First Lady Jeannette Kagame Urges Women to Take a Leading Role in Fighting Corruption in Africa
On October 31, 2018, Rwanda's First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, passionately called on African women to become more actively involved in combating corruption, a plague that disproportionately affects them. Speaking at the 11th Pan-African Parliament session on women’s rights under the theme “The Role of the Pan-African Parliament in Combating Corruption,” Mrs. Kagame emphasized the urgent need for female leadership in this fight.
While women are statistically less involved in corruption, they often suffer its consequences the most—limited access to education, fewer job opportunities, and lower wages compared to their male counterparts. A 2012 UNDP report revealed that 76% of women were denied essential services due to corruption. Yet, data also suggests that institutions led by women or with a significant number of women in decision-making roles tend to have lower levels of corruption and are better governed.
Mrs. Kagame stressed the importance of empowering women through legal reforms and inclusive leadership. She affirmed that in Rwanda, significant efforts have been made to promote transparency and gender equality across both public and private sectors. "Laws, institutions, and strategies must reinforce accountability and ensure gender parity at all levels of governance," she stated.
Furthermore, the First Lady urged lawmakers to reflect on their critical role in eradicating corruption by enacting progressive laws and holding governments accountable. She highlighted the need for female leaders in parliament to champion transparency and integrity as part of their legislative responsibilities.
The session concluded with a collective call to action: to strengthen gender equality laws, establish robust governance institutions, and foster political will that empowers citizens—especially women—to actively participate in building a corruption-free Africa.
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