Demonstrating Legislative Leadership: The Introduction of Rwanda’s Gender-Based Violence Bill
In August 2006, members of Rwanda’s Chamber of Deputies debated the landmark “Draft Law on Prevention, Protection and Punishment of Any Gender Based Violence.” Importantly, the bill—developed by Rwanda’s Forum of Rwandan Women Parliamentarians (FFRP) over a two-year process of public involvement—was the first substantive piece of legislation developed by the legislature since its election in 2003. This publication presents a detailed account of the development of this GBV law and examines the consultative approach of the FFRP, which suggests the emergence of a new model of governance in Rwanda.
