CWP NEWS AND REGIONAL STRENGTHENING
Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) News and Regional Strengthening Activities Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Rwanda Branch Steering Committee inaugurated The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Rwanda has inaugurated and has elected a number of Members of Parliament (both Senators and Deputies) to its Steering Committee to promote the views and concerns of women Parliamentarians throughout the country. The CWP Rwanda Steering Committee is also responsible for developing programmes to further the aims of the CWP within the country, in the Africa Region and across the world. The CWP Rwanda Steering Committee is headed by a Chairperson – Senator Hon. Mukobwa Justine - deputized by two members, one in charge of policy, mobilization and strategy – Senator Hon. Mukasine Marie Claire - and the other in charge of finances – Senator Hon. Kazarwa Gertrude – with a further five Members. Upon her election as the Chairperson of the CWP Rwanda, Hon. Mukobwa Justine informed the House that she was ready to work with other Members for the good of the
organisation and also assured them that her stewardship will leave no stone unturned on how best to empower women in Rwanda and Africa as a continent. CWP Australia rolls out ‘Stepping Up’ Campaign to encourage young women into politics The ‘Stepping Up’ Programme is an initiative launched the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Australia Region to encourage young women to consider a career in parliament. A number of events have been held in Australia Region Branches following the launch event for the programme in New South Wales. The Australia Capital Territory (ACT) Representative of CWP Australia Region, Nicole Lawder MLA held a recent ‘Stepping Up’ event for young women to consider a career in politics in Australia’s capital city. The event was a great success including a Tri-partisan panel of three female politicians - Meegan Fitzharris MLA, Minister for Transport and Municipal Services, Giulia Jones MLA, Shadow Minister for Women and Amanda Bresnan (former MLA); a community
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sector panel discussing their influence on the political process with Jordan Lim of YWCA, Jenni Gough of the Women’s Centre for Health Matters and Rebecca Cuzzillo of the Youth Coalition of the ACT; a ‘Communicating with influence’ workshop by Katrina Howard; and a media coaching session with renowned journalist Ginger Gorman. The event was also attended by the Speaker of the ACT Legislative Assembly, Mrs Vicki Dunne MLA, CPA Executive Committee Member and Regional Representative for the Australia Region, who also spoke at the event and hosted a lunch for participants.
Above: The new CWP Rwanda Steering Committee is headed by Chairperson, Senator Hon. Mukobwa Justine .
Below right: The CWP Chair for the Australia Capital Territory, Nicole Lawder MLA with young women participants in the ‘Stepping Up’ Programme. Below left: Speaker of the Australia Capital Territory (ACT) Legislative Assembly, Vicki Dunne MLA speaks at the event.