Mrs. Kagame arrived in the Middle East country on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, to participate in the global conference commemorating the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family (IYF). She was accompanied by Ms. Uwimana Consolee, Rwanda's Minister of Gender and Family Promotion.
The two-day high-level forum, organized by the Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), kicked off on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, with more than 2,000 participants, including policymakers, researchers, practitioners, youth leaders, and families, converging at the Qatar National Convention Center.
A statement issued by the Rwandan Embassy in Qatar revealed that Mrs. Kagame will participate in the session titled 'Breaking the Cycle: Overcoming the Poverty Trap' scheduled for Thursday.
The session will examine the relationship between family dynamics and the persistence of poverty, touching on critical topics such as poverty and child marriage, parental motivations for early marriages, and family-based social protection policies.
'This session forms part of the broader conference theme, 'Family and Contemporary Megatrends,' which will explore how global shifts such as technological change, demographic changes, migration, and climate change are impacting families,' the embassy stated.
IYF, first proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1994, highlights the family as the fundamental unit of society and underscores the importance of supporting and empowering families worldwide.
The Rwandan First Lady expressed her anticipation for the event, emphasizing the importance of the conference's goals.
'The theme of this commemorative conference resonates deeply with Rwanda's own ambition for empowered communities through empowered families. I look forward to learning and engaging, for international collaboration is essential to the accomplishment of our shared aspirations, and specifically our Sustainable Development Goals,' she stated.
Mrs. Kagame is recognised globally for her dedication to vulnerable communities. She champions family well-being through her leadership at Imbuto Foundation and other organisations she patrons. Her initiatives focus on health, education, and social protection for marginalized groups.
'H.E. Mrs. Jeannette Kagame's participation in the conference reaffirms the importance of family-centered policies in combating poverty and reinforces the shared commitment between Rwanda and Qatar to uplift families worldwide,' the embassy added.
The Rwandan Embassy in Qatar highlighted that the participation of the First Lady and the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion at the conference underscores the strong ties between Rwanda and Qatar. According to the embassy, the duo's involvement reflects a shared commitment to social development and the promotion of family-centered policies on a global scale.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sherifa Noman Al-Emadi, Executive Director of the Doha International Family Institute, expressed appreciation for Ms. Kagame's much-awaited contribution to the conference, noting the significance of her insights on poverty and family empowerment.
'H.E. Mrs. Jeannette Kagame's insights in 'Breaking the Cycle: Overcoming the Poverty Trap' bring essential perspectives to our shared mission, reinforcing our commitment to policies that empower families and foster resilience in the face of today's global challenges,' she remarked.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
